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Papers  Read 


BEFORE    THi; 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 
of  Frankford. 

(November   ijtli.   1906) 


^ 


Vol.  1.        No.  1. 


e^ 


REPRINTED    FROM 
THE   FRANKFORD   GAZETTE" 
1906 


A3T0R,  LENOX  AND 

TILDEN  F0LIN0ATI0N3. 

R  1911  L 


CONTENTS 


W  [pagbJ 

^      Colonel  James  Ashvvortli  -  -  1 

-V, 

(Written  by  Dr.  R.  C.  Allen) 


c^ 


^       Major  George  L.  Rltman 

tWrilten  by   Dr.  R.  C.   Allen) 


The  Colored  Population  of  Frankford        -  8 

(Written  by  Dr.  R.  C.  Allen) 

^       A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Dr.  Robert  Burns,  15 

(^Writleu  by  Helen  S.  Burns) 


^ 


V 

V 


T 


Colonel  James  Asliwortli. 


(Written  by  Dr.  U.  ('.  Allen,  <)ctob«r,  1906) 

This  distiiiKuiHfiod  Kfutlrmnii  wn«  ni>t 
a  imfivo  of  Fraiikford.  He  waH  born  in 
Knf^land,  in  183ti,  ami  was  bron(;iit  to 
this  country  wlion  an  infant  by  bis  par- 
ents, who  were  in  iniinble  circuinftances. 
His  parents  came  to  Frankford  in  the 
early  '50s  and  made  this  place  their  per- 
manent home. 

As  a  lad  he  was  gentlemanly  and 
scholarly,  and  possessed  those  particular 
qualities  that  outwardly  stamp  a  person 
as  one  in  whom  you  can  place  confi- 
dence. 

When  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  upon  by 
the  Confederates,  young  A.-^hworth  was 
doing  clerical  work  in  the  ollice  of  Cope 
Hrothers,  shipping  merchants,  in  I'hila- 
delphia.  The  stirring  incidents  at  the 
sei-t  of  war  electrified  his  young,  patri- 
otic nature  beyond  resistance,  so  he  re- 
signed from  his  lucrative  mercantile  po- 
sition to  enter  the  military  service  of  hia 
adopted  country.  In  August,  lStV2,  he 
recruited  a  company  of  young  men  of 
Frankford  for  a  three  years'  service  in 
the  war.  A  common  report  at  the  time 
was  that  Captain  .\sh worth  recruited  a 
company  in  a  day,  so  quickly  was  the 
company  organized. 

At  that  time  there  was  an  open  lot  just 
below  Sellers  street,  that  extended  from 
Main  to  Paul  streets,  and  was  known  as 
the  Arcade  lot.  It  was  here  that  the 
company  was  recruited.  The  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Hall  was  the  otlicial  recruiting 
ollice. 

(1) 


The  writer  of  these  notes  heard  Cap- 
tain Ashworth  address  the  assembled 
crowd  one  evening  on  the  Arcade  lot, 
urging  the  young  men  to  enlist.  At  the 
conclusion  of  his  address  a  sufficient 
number  of  men  went  forward  to  com- 
plete the  organization  of  his  company. 

Among  the  things  he  said  in  his  ad- 
dress was  "  Why  should  you  not  enlist  ? 
Are  you  any  more  dear  to  your  parents 
than  I  am  to  mine?"  The  company 
was  organized  as  Company  I,  121st  Reg- 
iment, Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infantry, 

Mr.  John  S.  Settle,  a  member  of  Com- 
pany I,  composed  the  words  of  a  song 
which  I  think  was  sung  for  the  first  time 
in  public  on  the  Arcade  lot.  James 
Ashworth  was  commissioned  captain 
August  22,  1862  ;  promoted  to  major 
April  20,  1863  ;  lieutenant  colonel,  Dec- 
ember 11,  1863;  colonel,  January  10, 
1864. 

He  was  discharged  February  10,  1864 
for  wounds  received  in  action  at  the 
Battle  of  Gettysburg. 

He  re-entered  the  service  as  captain  in 
the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  April  15th, 
1865. 

He  was  wrecked  off  the  Florida  coast 
while  on  his  way  to  New  Orleans,  and 
was  rescued  by  the  crew  of  a  gun  boat. 

Colonel  Ashworth  did  duty  in  Wash- 
ington and  in  the  State  of  Maryland; 
moved  to  Frederick,  Md.  ;  joined  the 
Army  of  Rotomac  near  Antietani  ;  moved 
to  Bakersville  and  then  to  Petersville ; 
advanced  by  way  of  Snickersville  and 
White  Plains  to  Warrentown  ;  duty  at 
Brooks'  Station  ;  movement  on  Freder- 
icksburg ;  battle  of  Fredericksburg  ;  duty 
near  Falmouth  ;  expedition  to  Port  Con- 
way ;  Chancellorsville  campaign ;  opera- 
tions near  Pollock's  Mills  ;  battle  of 
Chancellorsville  ;      Pennsylvania     cam. 

(2) 


paign;  battle  of  (;ottyHhll^^;,  wlu-n-  Iw 
was  wuiiiult'il  t'Ifvrii  tiiiifH  and  taken 
prisoner. 

Colonel  Aehworth  was  apj)oint«'<l  rev- 
enue asaensor  of  the  Fifth  District, 
rennsyivania,  and  later  waa  made  col- 
lector of  the  same  district. 

He  waa  a  member  of  St.  Mark's 
Church,  l-'rankford. 

He  died  at  (iainsville,  Florida,  March 
21,  188'2,  whence  his  body  wa.s  brought 
home  and  buried  at  Cedar  Hill. 

Colonel  .\8hworth  was  never  married. 


The   Sontr  ui  Co.  1 

0/  Coi.  Chapman  liiddle' s  121st  Reg. 
P.    V. 

Itespoit fully  (ItMlicated  to  St.  Marks  I'nion  Tent. 
VVriUen  by  John  S.  ^«ettle.  of  Co   1. 

Ye  Frankford  Boys  attention. 

To  siiij;  a  sonj:  we'll  try, 
A  ft'W  thiiips  we  will  mention, 

Which  will  just  suit  Coini)any  I  : 
We  have  joined  the  Union  Army, 

To  n«ht  for  a  Holy  cause. 
For  the  Union,  Constitution, 

And  enforcement  of  the  Laws. 

CiiORfi^  : 
Then  for  pallatit  Captain  Ashworth, 

Let  us  give  three  hearty  cheers, 
Hip,  liil>.  hurrah,  hurrah,  hurrah. 

For  the  Frankford  Volunteers. 
Our  gallant  tirat  Lieutenant, 

The  second  in  command. 
Now  wears  the  bad},'e  of  Honor, 

Won  in  a  Foreisjn  Lan<l ; 
He  never  will  desert  us, 

What  e're  mav  be  the  cause, 
While  we  fi'^ht  for  the  Constitution, 

.Vnd  enforcement  of  the  Laws. 

When  the  Rebels  we  do  meet. 

And  bullets  they  Hy  thick. 
We'll  charge  them  with  the  bayonet, 

Sayiiif:  forward,  double  quick. 
Our  .second  Lieutenant  will  he  there, 

He  his  sword  for  freedom  draws, 
For  the  Union,  Con.stitution, 

And  enforcement  of  the  Laws. 


Chokus  :  Then  for  gallant  Captain  Ash- 
worth,  etc. 

Soldiers,  we  must  now  bid  adieu, 

To  the  girls  we  dearly  love, 
And  if  we  meet  no  more  on  earth, 

We  will  meet  in  heaven  above. 
Then  let  us  take  a  parting  kiss, 

We're  engaged  in  a  righteous  cause, 
We  are  fighting  for  the  Union, 

And  enforcement  of  the  Laws. 

Chorus  :  Then  for  gallant  Captain  Ash- 
worth,  etc. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  triumphant, 

In  every  State  shall  wave, 
Or  everj'  man  in  Company  I, 

Shall  win  a  soldier's  grave, 
But  we  will  all  return  again, 

And  every  tear  be  dry. 
Of  the  Mothers,  Wives  and  Sisters, 

Of  the  Members  of  Company  I. 

Chorus  :  Then  for  gallant  Captain  Ash- 
worth,  etc. 


(4) 


Major  fleorgR  L  Hitman. 


(Wrlttfii  l>y  Dr.  It.  f.  Allen.  nclol>er.  I90»-.) 

When  thp  Civil  War  began  and  Pn-fli- 
djMit  Lincdin  made  a  call  for  troops, 
Krankford  wan  among  thf  first  to  re- 
epond. 

A  company  was  quickly  formed,  the 
connnand  nf  whicli  was  given  t*)  (iporge 
L.  Ritman,  a  voteran  of  the  Mexican 
War.  It  was  Company  K,  of  C<>i, 
J^mali's  regiment,  and  was  the  first  com- 
l>:iny  recruited  in  Krankford.  .\  few 
patriotic  ladies  of  the  town  made  a  silk 
flag  and  presented  it  to  Company  H  in 
front  of  Dr.  Deacon's  residence,  which 
was  located  at  Krankford  Avenue  and 
Seller?  Street.  The  prer^eiitation  was 
made  by  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Dixon  on  behalf 
of  the  ladies,  and  lion.  Kdward  (i.  Lee 
received  the  flag  for  the  company.  The 
ladies  who  made  the  flag  were :  the 
Misses  Mary  and  Kmma  (iibson,  Mrs. 
Will.  H.  Dixon  and  Miss  Mary  IV  .\llen. 

The  flag  is  now  among  other  war  relics 
ill  the  Post  Room  of  Col.  .\sh worth  Tost 
(4.  A.  K.,  Main  and  Kuan  streeta, 
Krankford.  This  was  the  first  flag  made 
in  Kninkford  for  use  in  the  Civil  War, 
and  it  was  presented  to  the  tirst  com- 
pany recrnitetl  in  the  town. 

Linneus  Jennings,  a  private  of  the 
company,  received  the  tlag,  as  color 
bearer.  Capt.  Hitman  drilled  the  men 
on  an  open  lot  situated  east  of  Paul 
street  and  Krankford  avenue. 

When  drilling,  as  muskelfl  were  not 
available,  fence  rails  were  used  by  the 
men  to  represent  those  weapons. 

(5) 


Company  B  started  unarmed  for 
Washington  to  be  mustered  into  service. 

Tlu-y  reached  Baltimore  where  a  riot- 
ous mob  stoned  them,  broke  the  win- 
dows of  the  train,  and  scattered  the  men 
in  various  directions  like  sheep. 

The  company  returned  to  Frankford. 

Captain  Ritman  re-entered  the  service 
as  Capt.  of  Company  D,  71st  Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteer  Infantry,  Promoted  to 
Major,  July  15,  18H2,  was  honorably  dis- 
charged January  16,  1863.    ' 

He  again  entered  the  service  in  Com- 
pany G,  184th  Pennsylvania  Volunteer 
Infantry,  May  17th,  1864,  and  was  elec- 
ted Major  on  the  field  October  31,  1864. 

His  Civil  War  Service  :  Battle  of  Ball's 
Bluff,  Siege  of  Yorktown,  Battle  of  Fair 
Oaks,  Battles  of  Peach  Orchard  and 
Savage  Station,  Battle  of  Olendale,  Bat- 
tle of  Malvern  Hill,  Second  Malvern 
Hill,  Battle  of  South  Mountain,  Antie- 
tani  Creek,  Battle  of  Antietam,  Battle 
of  Fredericksburg,  Battle  of  Cold  Har- 
bor, Assault  on  Wall's  Hill,  Assault  on 
Petersburg,  Engagements  on  the  Weldon 
liailroad,  Battle  o  Deep  Bottom,  Mine 
Explosion,  Strawberry  Plains,  Battle  of 
Keams,  Station  Duty  in  the  Trenches 
before  Petersburg,  Battle  of  Hatcher's 
Run,  Operations  before  Forts  Haskell 
and  Stedman,  Dabney's  Mills,  White 
Oak  Road,  Fall  of  Petersburg,  Action 
near  Jettersville,  Battle  of  Sailor's  Creek, 
Farmville.  He  was  present  at  the  sur- 
render of  Lee's  army  at  Appomattox 
Court  House,  and  participated  in  the 
Grand  Review  at  Washington  at  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Captain  Ritman  also  fought  through 
the  Mexican  War.  George  L.  Ritman 
entered  the  service  as  a  private  of  Com- 
pany G,  1st  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, December  17th,   1846,  promoted 

(6) 


to  Corpurnl  ;  (li.'^c^(a^^;^•(l  .Inly  tsrii,  lM.*t, 
(cldrtf  nf  the  SMir).  Il«'  «af»  nl  the  in- 
vestinont  of  N'mi  Cniz,  nitinhardnifrit 
of  Vera  Cruz,  Marclicd  on  Jalapa,  Mat- 
ties of  Ci'rro  (iordo,  Sii-nr  of  Piubla, 
Marched  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  nervi-d 
Duty  at  San  AnRel.  A  tl8>;  wac  presen- 
ted to  liJH  re^;iiiient  hy  (Jen.  Scott  for 
^iillant  conduct  during  tlie  >*'m-\!<-  <.f 
Tuebla. 

Major  Hitman  married  Jane  M.  Math- 
er, and  had  five  children.  He  diet!  on 
February  L'Otli,  1"."<)1,  in  his  Ttith  year 
and  was  buried  at  Cedar  Hill.  He  was 
born  in  riiilatlelphia.  He  conducted 
the  ci^ar  manufacturinj;  and  tobacco 
business  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall, 
Frankford, 


(7) 


The  Colored  Population  of 
Frankford. 


Written  by  Dr.  Richard  C.  Allen,  1906. 


Xovember  Meeting  of  the  Historical  Society, 
l'J06. 

Up  to  1780,  the  colored  population  of 
Frankford  was  small,  and  confined  to  a 
few  servants  in  families  of  aristocratic 
whites. 

When  Penns5'lvania  abolished  slavery 
in  1780,  an  influx  of  colored  people  into 
Frankford  began,  and  communities  were 
formed  in  the  village,  the  first  of  which 
was  located  on  Foulkrod  street,  with  a 
few  families  on  Bowser's  lane,  now 
called  Plum  street. 

Peter  Craig  was  the  oldest  colored  res- 
ident of  Frankford  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1862,  when 
he  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
one  hundred  and  three  years.  Peter  was 
born  a  slave.  He  was  six  feet  in  height, 
well  proportioned  and  endowed  with 
herculean  strength. 

When  a  young  man,  Peter  gave  exhi- 
bitions of  his  strength  and  other  athletic 
accomplishments.  He  could,  by  a  run- 
ning jump,  clear  the  backs  of  two 
horses  placed  side  by  side.  At  the  age 
of  forty  years  the  thick  vvooly  growth  on 
Peter's  head  had  turned  snow  white, 
and  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  years  his 
liead  was  still  covered  with  a  heavy 
growth  of  white  wool,  which  was  a  dis- 
tinguishing mark  of  his  personality. 
(8) 


lit-  hail  11  riMiinrkablf  nieinory,  ami  hm 
iifcoiiipllshfil  gift  of  t'liay  cniiVfrHatioii 
made  him  an  cntcrtaiiiiii^  puroon.  Mofit 
of  Peter's  storicti  rt-laled  to  the  times  of 
the  iJt'vululion,  and  were  lexHona  of 
patriotism. 

Contemporaneous  with  IVter  CraiK 
was  Letitia  Bowser,  who  lived  throuf^h 
ninety-seven  years.  Sin*  was  born  in 
1798,  and  died  189.^,  in  a  house  on  B()W- 
ser's  lane,  where  she  had  resided  the 
greater  part  (jf  her  life.  She  wa.**  a  faith- 
ful and  ellioient  member  of  the  .Vfrican 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Frank- 
ford,  located  on  Oxford  street,  where 
for  many  years  siie  led  the  singing. 

It  has  been  saiil  by  judges  that  if 
Letitia's  skin  had  been  white  she  would 
have  established  a  national  reputation 
for  her  voice.  Letitia  was  a  living  eon- 
cordanre  of  the  Bible.  She  could  locate 
any  particular  passage  of  the  old  or  new 
testament.  She  was  exceedingly  intt-r- 
estiiig  in  conversaticm,  using  choice  lan- 
guage with  charming  effect. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  last  rciitury 
there  came  to  I'rankford  to  live  two  col- 
ored persons,  who  claimed  distinction 
by  reason  of  their  aristocratic  birth — 
Pet«r  Marks  and  his  wife  Virginia. 
Peter  was  born  in  Westmoreland  Co., 
Va,,  on  the  plantation  of  .fames  .MonriK* 
lifth  President  of  the  liiited  States, 
whom  he  served  in  the  capacity  of  body 
servant.  He  lived  with  his  master  in 
the  White  House  during  President  Mon- 
roe's term  of  otlice,  and  on  the  death  of 
President  .Monroe,  which  occurred  .Ftily 
4th,  1831,  was  given  his  freedom. 

Virginia  Marks  was  born  on  the  es- 
tate of  Thomas  Jefferson,  at  .Mr)nticelli», 
Albemarle  Co.,  Va.,  and  was  the  per- 
sonal   attendant   of  Thomas  .leffersou's 


daughters.  She  lived  in  the  White 
House  with  them,  during  President  Jeff- 
erson's term  of  office,  and  returned  with 
them  to  Monticello  at  its  close.  She  was 
present  when  Jefferson  died  July  4,  1826 
and  assisted  in  preparing  his  body  for 
the  grave.  She  was  given  her  freedom 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  I'eter 
Marks.  The  marriage  service  was  per- 
formed in  the  parlors  of  Jefferson's 
house,  and  she  was  dressed  as  a  bride 
by  Jefferson's  daughters. 

On  their  arrival  in  Frankford  they  oc- 
cupied a  low  frame  house  on  a  lane  east 
of  the  Main  street,  now  known  as  Foui- 
krod  street. 

Peter  adopted  the  trade  of  whitewash- 
ing, which  at  that  time  gave  employ- 
ment to  many  colored  people.  Tn  those 
days  paperhanging  was  uncommon,  and 
the  walls  of  liouses  were  whitewashed 
twice  a  year  to  maintain  sanitation. 
Peter  Marks  was  soon  recognized  as  a 
master  of  the  art.  He  boasted  of  his 
ability  to  whitewash  a  ceiling  of  a  room 
with  the  carpet  on  the  floor. 

Virginia  Marks  did  fine  laundry  work. 
It  is  interesting  to  note  that  their  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Louis  W.  Bedford  still  resides 
in  Frankford,  and  continues  to  carry  on 
the  work  of  her  mother. 

Thus  through  the  descendants  of  these 
respectable  colored  people,  our  com- 
munity is  directly  connected  with  the 
households  of  the  third  and  fifth  Presi- 
dents of  the  United  States.  Thomas 
Jefferson,  author  of  rhe  Declaration  of 
Independence  and  negotiator  of  the 
Louisiana  Purchase,  which  secured  to 
us  as  a  nation  the  mouth  of  Mississippi 
Kiver,  and  our  Western  territory,  and 
James  Monroe  the  author  of  the  Monroe 
doctrine,  which  has  protected  us  for  so 

(10) 


many  yvum  on  UiIm  Hiiir  ni  tlit>  Atlunlic 
Ocean  from  the  UKKrcBHion  uf  Kiiropi-nn 
iiatioiiH. 

In  u  smnll  friinie  hutiH*-  on  liuMHiT'ri 
lane,  ")0  veiirH  a><(<,  ilwelU'd  Mary  Wyk- 
olf,  a  colurcd  woman,  and  lier  pet  ani- 
Mials.  This  old,  obscurt-,  hnmhlc  col- 
oii'd  woman  was  a  veiitablt-  Klon-iiof 
Nightingale.  Her  house  was  an  asylum 
for  sick  and  injured  small  animals,  par- 
ticularly birds. 

It  was  a  familiar  and  interesting  spec- 
tacle on  the  quiet  streets  of  Krankfor*! 
in  tliO!ie  days  to  see  Mary  Wykoff  walk- 
ing along  with  an  empty  biril  cage  in 
her  hand  and  a  robin  or  some  other 
bird  perched  upon  her  shoulder.  .Mary 
bad  an  old  tiger  eat  called  K/ekiel,  that 
took  care  of  the  small  birds  during  her 
absence  from  her  hon»e  for  an  aft«'r- 
noon.  The  long  hair  of  Kzekiel's  sl<jm- 
ach  was  a  warm  nesting  place  for  the 
sick  birds.  "  ('ome  Zeke,  lie  down  here 
before  the  tin'  and  warm  this  little 
bird,"  .Maiy  would  fay,  and  Zeke,  with 
almost  human  instinct,  would  perform 
the  act  indicated  by  his  mistress.  Kach 
bird  had  a  name  taken  from  the  llible, 
to  which  it  would  respond  when  called. 
.\  parrot  called  Lot  seemed  t«>  have 
huiiiaii  understanding  an<l  also  the  gift 
of  speech  after  the  manner  of  a  human 
being. 

The  colored  people  were  employed  to 
perform  laboring  work  and  occupied 
positions  as  domestics  in  homes  of  white 
persons.  They  were  debarred  irom  all 
institutions  of  skilled  labor,  and  also 
from  the  outdoor  trades,  in  any  other 
capacity  than  laborers. 

.lames  llorrocks  was  the  first  manu- 
facturer in  Krankford  to  employ  colored 
persons  to  perform  skilled  labor. 

(11) 


Randall  Pleasants,  James  Morris,  and 
the  Bedford  boys,  all  colored,  worked  in 
Mr.  Horrocks'  dye  works. 

Prior  to  1850  the  colored  folks  had 
little  or  no  opportunity  to  obtain  an  ed- 
ucation. About  that  time  a  small 
schoolhouse  was  erected  on  the  site  now- 
occupied  by  the  Wilmot  School  on 
Meadow  street,  and  William  Coffee  was 
appointed  to  give  instructions  to  colored 
children.  Anterior  to  the  establishment 
of  this  school,  whatever  talents  the  col- 
ored children  displayed,  were  the  out- 
growth of  natural  gifts. 

Among  those  who  possessed  natural 
gifts  was  "  Santy  "  Fry  (Joseph).  This 
colored  individual  was  named  "  Santy  " 
because  of  a  deformity  of  one  leg,  which 
gave  a  limp  when  he  walked,  similar  to 
the  limp  of  Santa  Anna,  the  celebrated 
Mexican  revolutionist.  In  addition  to 
the  distinguishing  limp,  he  also  had  an- 
other characteristic,  that  of  holding  his 
thumb  in  his  mouth  while  walking  along 
the  street.  These  two  features  amused 
the  children  of  the  town,  and  gave  to 
Santy  an  individuality  which  attracted 
the  attention  of  strangers.  Santy  was 
known  as  the  boy  preacher.  Without 
opportunity  for  education  and  without 
training,  this  poor  humble  youth  gave 
surprising  evidence  of  natural  mental 
vigor  and  superior  instincts  of  elo- 
quence. Ilis  talents  were  not  of  the  im- 
itative cliaracter  which  quotes  commit- 
ted passages  from  the  Bible,  but  were 
logical  and  analytical,  with  a  gift  of 
portrayal  rarely  possessed  by  the  same 
person.  Santy  went  to  the  South  as  a 
missionary  to  the  colored  people,  where 
I  am  informed,  he  did  a  great  work  in 
education  and  civilization  among  the 
freedmen. 

(12) 


The  little  African  Mi-lhiulii^t  KpiHCopal 
Chapel  on  Oxford  street,  wan  the  fortiru 
ill  which  thi"  colored  youth  of  the  town 
j^ave  exhihitions  of  their  talents  hy  ring- 
ing at  concerts  and  declaiming.  Aiuohk 
those  \vlu»  were  proficient  as  platform 
debaters  was  Henderson  I)a\i(«,  who 
later  became  a  di9tin^;llished  divine  in 
his  field  of  labor  in  the  N<»rth\vest. 

The  colored  people  of  Knmkford  were 
not  second  to  their  white  iH-ixhborH  in 
patriotism  when  their  country  needed 
youiit;  men  to  suppress  the  rebellion. 

In  prnoi  that  the  colored  populntioii 
upheld  the  patriotic  reputation  of  Frank- 
ford,  we  have  only  to  refer  to  the  lonj? 
and  honorable  column  of  recorded 
names  of  those  who  fought  in  the  I'nion 
Army.  Aiiu)iiti;  those  who  jjave  their 
services  to  suppress  the  rebellion  were 
Thomas  Davis,  John  Davis,  .Iam»s  Dav- 
is, Alex.  IJedfcud,  Jerry  .Murray,  Sila^ 
Little,  Benj.  Little,  Elias  Carey,  William 
Ycjung,  Jessie  Pleasants,  David  Jackson 
Andrew  I'lea-^ants,  Rennet  Jackson, 
Tliomaa  Anih-rson,  John  Williamn, 
Thomas  Williams,  William  Massey. 

For  many  years  the  Potter's  Field,  lo- 
cated (»n  Meadow  street,  was  undi-r  the 
special  direction  of  Mattie  Parker,  who 
dug  graves  and  performed  t)ther  duties 
incident  to  the  care  of  burial  lots.  Mat- 
tie  was  a  short,  thick-sft.  bowlepgetl, 
yelU>w  skin  man,  with  a  pi-culiar  stutt- 
ering manner  of  si)eech,  and  when  he 
failed  by  speech  to  make  himself  under- 
stood, he  was  assisted  in  Ida  efforts  by 
motions  and  gesticulationB  of  his  arms 
and  legs,  which  often  came  in  contact 
with  the  stomach  of  his  auditor.  Hr 
professed  to  know  the  exact  grave  of 
every  person  who  had  been  buried  in 
the    Potter's  Field   for  the  Vl  years  that 


he  had  the  snperintendency  ot  the  bur- 
ial ground.  When  a  grave  was  full  of 
deceased  members  of  a  family,  he 
usually  accommodated  the  remaining 
members  of  that  family  when  they  died, 
in  the  graves  of  other  persons. 


(14) 


^ 


A   Sketch  of  the  Lift-  of 

Dr.  Robert  Burns 


By  Helen  ii.  nurii* 

III  rPHponso  to  a  rcqiii'st,  it  Ih  the 
writer's  great  pleasure  to  j;ive  a  short 
sketch  of  one  who  spent  a  most  useful 
and  benelicient  life  in  this  community  ; 
to  tell  how  it  was  he  drifted  so  far  from 
his  native  land,  and  liow  he  came  to 
settle  in  Franklord. 

Dr.  Kohfit  Burns  wan  born  in  lilus- 
gow,  .Scotlanil,  November  9,  1809. 
When  he  was  two  years  old,  his  father, 
because  of  failing  health,  thought  he 
would  try  a  change  of  climate,  and  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Belfast,  Ire- 
land, soon  after  settling  at  Newtonards; 
here  his  school  days  commenced.  Ui>^ 
father  was  a  very  earnest  Christian,  and 
he  had  a  great  desire  to  have  his  son 
become  a  minister  of  the  Kstablished 
Church.  In  preparation  therefore  he 
began  the  study  of  Latin  and  Ureek 
under  the  instruction  of  the  clergyman 
of  the  parish  in  which  he  became  very 
proficient.  He  inherited  from  his  father 
a  deep  piety,  which  was  manifest 
through  his  whole  life.  When  12  years 
old  he  was  confirmed  by  Bishop  Mant, 
of  Ireland. 

Through  association  with  some  of  his 
schoolmates,  who  were  physician's  son^ 
and  other  influences,  his  mind  was 
turned  toward  the  medical  profession. 
To  enter  this  profession  a  boy  was 
obliged  to  acquire  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  pharmacy,  and  fur  that  purpose  was 
indentured  to  a  druggist  (who  was  also 
a  physician)   for    a    certain    number    of 

(15) 


years.  So  he  came  under  the  tuition  of 
Dr.  William  Strean,  of  Newtonards.  In 
the  course  of  time  he  passed  an  exami- 
nation at  the  Dublin  Apothecary  Hall. 
This  hall  by  virtue  of  a  governmental 
charter  assumed  jurisdiction  over  all 
venders  of  medicine  in  Ireland,  fining 
any  one  who  sold  it  without  being  a 
regularly  qualified  licentiate.  The  re- 
quirements were,  passing  an  examina- 
tion in  the  classics,  and  serving  an 
apprenticeship  to  another  regular  licen- 
tiate of  seven  j'ears.  After  this  there 
was  a  second  examination  in  Materia 
Medica,  which  if  the  candidate  passed, 
he  was  qualitied  to  sell  and  prescribe 
medicine  in  any  part  of  the  Kingdom. 
Dr.  Burns  having  passed  successful  ex- 
aminations in  Materia  Medica,  entered 
Glasgow  University,  in  November,  1828, 
and  in  connection  with  his  medical 
course  had  practical  experience  in  the 
infirmary  connected  with  the  University. 
Here  he  remained  two  years. 

At  the  close  of  that  period  his  father 
decided  to  sell  his  house  and  fields  and 
come  to  America.  His  health  had  not 
improved  through  his  change  of  resi- 
dence and  his  business  was  declining. 
His  son  offered  to  come  to  America 
alone,  to  see  if  the  great  change  would 
be  so  desirable,  but  nothing  could  dis- 
suade his  father  from  carrying  out  his 
purpose.  So,  though  his  heart  was 
heavy  with  disappointed  hopes,  the 
young  man  loyally  lifted  his  burden,  to 
follow  the  father  he  revered. 

On  June  9,  1830,  the  family  embarked 
on  the  sailing  vessel  Margaret  Miller,  of 
which  Dr.  Burns  was  appointed  sur- 
geon. There  were  160  passengers  on 
board,  and  soon  after  entering  the  At- 
lantic the  majority  of  them  were  taken 
(16) 


/ 


sick,  many  of  thfiii  beinR  nffrrtiMl  by  the 
quality  of  the  drinkinj?  \vat«T,  8o  he  \va« 
k«'pt  very  busy.    There  were  two  dentha 
dnrinj;   the   voynpe,  one   nil   infant,  the 
other  a  sailor,  who  fell  from  the  top  f»f 
the    mainmast    and    died  instantly.     In 
his   journal    he   statis;    "These   bodlrfl 
were  well  bound  up  in  a  piece  of  sail- 
cloth, and  stone.s  enelosed  at  the  feet  in 
order  to  facilitate  them  in  sinking.    They 
■noro  then  placed  uiion   the  door  of  the 
hatchway,  snp|)orted  on  the  rail  of  tlie 
gangway  by  the  sailors.     Here  they  re- 
mained until  I  read  tlie  funt-riil  service 
of  the  Church  of  luigland,  then,  slowly 
and  solemnly,  the  door  was  raised  and 
the  mortal  remains  precipitated  into  tlie 
deep.     This  is  a  solemn  scene,  and  who 
ever  has  heard   that  plunge  can    never 
forget   it.      At   this  moment  the  deep, 
heavy  sound  is  as  fresh    in  my  memory 
as  the  hour  when  I  heard  it.     All  is  in  a 
moment  hushed,  the   waters  close  over 
the  ocean  tomb   and  not  a  trace  is  left 
behind. 

No  mark  remains  by  which  we  can 
point  out  the  spot  where  the  body  lies, 
the  earthly  tabernacle  of  the  liberated 
spirit;  yet,  considering  how  soon  the 
dead  are  forgotten,  it  seems  immaterial 
to  me,  whether  the  body  is  interred  in 
the  earth,  or  merged  in  the  deep.  The 
spirit  Hies  to  God  who  gave  it,  and  this 
alone,  ought  to  be  our  care  and  chief 
concern,  to  have  it  ready  for  the  Search- 
er of  all  hearts,  and  spend  not  a  mom- 
ent's consideration  on  the  de.-tination  of 
our  bodies  since  they  are  to  be  re-ani- 
mated at  the  sound  of  the  last  trumpet. 
The  Omnipotent  God  can  call  them  from 
the  deep  or  the  most  secret  receea  of  the 
earth.  I  will  now  take  leave  of  this 
subject  by  saying  that  it  is  a  minor  con- 

(1") 


\ 
\ 


sideration  with  me  where  my  body  is 
situated,  provided  my  soul  finds  accept- 
ance with  my  God,  and  dwells  with  Him 
in  region?  of  Eternal  Bliss." 

At  the  close  of  the  long  and  stormy 
voyage,  Dr.  Burns  received  a  testimon- 
ial from  the  captain  and  passengers  in 
recognition  of  his  kind  and  faithful  ser- 
vices. 

On  August  1,  1830,  he  landed  in  Phil- 
adelphia, a  stranger  in  a  strange  land. 
The  captain  introduced  him  to  some  of 
his  friends  in  the  city,  among  whom 
were  several  prominent  physicians,  with 
one  of  them  (Dr.  Beatty)  he  consulted 
as  to  the  best  course  to  pursue  in  order 
to  enter  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
for  his  graduating  year. 

His  next  step  was  to  obtain  a  situa- 
tion. One  day  reading  in  the  National 
Gazette  an  advertisement  for  a  young 
man  to  take  charge  of  a  drug  store  in 
North  Carolina,  he  went  as  directed  to 
Messrs.  E.  &  C.  Yarnall,  druggists,  on 
Market  street,  but  found  the  place  had 
just  been  filled.  Mr.  Yarnall  introduced 
him  to  Eli  Welding,  a  Friend,  of  Fri.nk- 
ford,  who,  on  learning  his  errand,  asked 
him  how  he  would  like  to  go  a  few  miles 
into  the  country.  He  said  he  was  will- 
ing. Mr.  Welding  then  told  him  that 
Dr.  Pickering,  of  Frankford,  wanted  a 
young  man  to  manage  his  drug  store. 
In  a  day  or  two  Dr.  Pickering  called  to 
see  him,  and  on  being  shown  his 
matriculating  tickets  and  certificates, 
expressed  himself  as  thoroughly  satis- 
fied, and  at  once  entered  into  agreement 
with  him.  In  the  latter  part  of  March, 
1831,  Dr.  Burns  came  to  Frankford,  not 
as  a  pupil  of  Dr.  Pickering,  but  as  one 
fully  qualified  to  fill  the  position  to 
which  he  was  called,  and  to  practice 
(18) 


niedicino  ami  surnt'ry. 

In  July,  iXM,  through  the  inlliicnce 
of  Dr.  I'ickiMiii^;,  tin-  Frankfonl  Lihrary 
was  piacfil  uiulcr  his  can-.  At  thin  time 
he  received  a  letter  from  his  couHin,  Dr. 
Kichard  Sinitli,  of  Laaswude,  Scotland, 
who  was  physician  to  I.ord  Melville,  tht-n 
one  of  the  Lords  of  .Admiralty,  and 
father  of  Sir  Richard  Smith,  the  cliief 
engineer  at  the  siege  of  Delhi,  in  India, 
during  the  great  mutiny.  lie  expressed 
himstlf  grieved  at  I)r.  liurns'  disap- 
pointments, and  desired  him  to  hasten 
back  to  Scotland  and  become  as  one  of 
his  family  ;  that  he  would  give  him 
every  assistance  nece.ssary  to  complete 
his  studies,  after  which  he  would  take 
him  as  his  assistant,  but,  being  c<)mfor- 
tably  situated  in  his  new  home,  he 
politely  declined  his  kind  offer,  determ- 
ining to  carve  out  his  future  by  his  own 
exertions.  On  .\pril  :5,  IS-'W,  he  married 
Hli/abeth  Yarneil,  a  niece  of  Isaac 
Whitelock,  of  Frankford,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society  of  Friends.  On  the 
9th  of  October,  18.'i3,  he  purchased  the 
stock  and  fixtures  of  Dr.  Taylor's  drug 
store,  and  in  February,  1S.34,  that  of 
Dr.  Pickering. 

His  University  course  had  been  de- 
layed through  the  persuasion  of  Dr. 
Pickering,  who  told  hini  if  he  left  him 
he  would  give  up  his  store,  as  he  could 
have  confidence  in  no  other  assi.stant. 

Finally,  in  1838,  feeling  at  liberty  Ui 
give  his  mind  to  the  consummation  of 
his  long-delayed  hopes,  he  called  upon 
Dr.  Hare,  Professor  of  Chemistry  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Dr. 
Horner,  Professor  of  Anatoniy  and  Dean 
of  the  Faculty,  and  was  received  with 
the  greatest  kindness.  Upon  examina- 
tion   of  his  Cilasgow   University    ticket* 


and  certificates  they  assured  him  that  a 
short  course  at  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania would  be  sufiicient  for  him  to 
obtain  his  degree. 

Leaving  his  only  living  brother,  James 
whom  he  had  educated  and  trained  to 
the  drug  business  in  charge  of  his  store, 
he  entered  upon  his  University  work, 
and  on  April  5,  1839,  received  at  Musi- 
cal Fund  Hall  the  Degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine. 

He  loved  his  profession,  and  gave  to 
it  all  the  earnest  thought  fulness  of  mind 
that  characterized  him.  For  nearly  half 
a  century  he  went  in  and  out  among  us 
patiently  ministering  to  the  sick  and 
suffering,  and  his  kind  face  was  always 
most  welcome.  In  the  early  days  of  his 
work  there  were  difficulties  of  travel, 
which  do  not  at  present  exist,  unlighted 
streets,  bad  roads,  over  which  it  was 
necessary  to  take  long  and  frequent 
drives. 

He  took  the  deepest  interest  in  every- 
thing concerning  the  welfare  of  his 
adopted  land,  and  was  particularly  in- 
terested in  the  intellectual  development 
of  the  people.  He  was  the  prime  mover 
in  the  establishment  of  the  Philosophi- 
cal Society,  or,  as  it  afterwards  was 
called,  the  Frankford  Lyceum  of 
Science.  He  delivered  the  opening  ad- 
dress and  several  lectures. 

He  also  delivered  lectures  at  the 
Holmesburg  Lyceum.  He  was  one  of 
the  Burgesses  when  Frankford  was  only 
a  borough.  He  was  for  many  years 
Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  at  Frankford 
Arsenal  and  held  the  position  till  a  few 
weeks  before  his  death.  He  was  sev- 
eral times  the  orator  at  Cedar  Hill  on 
Memorial  Day.  When  the  news  came 
to  Frankford   that    the   Civil  War   had 

(20) 


/ 


ended,  and  crDwds  of  people  had  nn- 
seinblcd  in  front  of  tht- station  hoiige  for 
very  gladnrss.  his  voice  led  in  the  sing- 
ing  of  the  Doxohijiy.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Historical  Society  of  I'enn.Mylvania 
and  of  St.  Andrew's  Society.  lie  was 
also  a  member  of  the  County  .Medical 
Society  ;  of  the  College  of  Physicians ; 
a  permanent  delegate  of  the  American 
Medical  .Association  ;  a  delegate  of  the 
State  -Medical  Society  ;  a  member  of  the 
Obstetrical  Society ;  one  of  the  Presi- 
dents of  the  Northern  Medical  Associa- 
tion, for  which  he  wrote  some  valuable 
papers.  He  was  a  teacher  in  St,  .Mark's 
Episcopal  Sunday  School,  when  it  was 
conducted  by  Mrs.  <;ienn  in  the  old 
Academy,  and  he  tells  in  his  diary  that 
Mrs.  Glenn  gave  each  child  a  cake  as  it 
left  the  school.  Being  far  from  Trinity 
Church,  Oxford,  he  attended  the  Meth- 
odist Church  in  Trankford,  and  was 
very  active  there  for  several  years. 

He  continued  his  work  until  Septem- 
ber 16,  LS82.  His  health  had  been  fail- 
ing for  some  time,  but  on  the  morning 
of  that  day  he  drove  five  miles  into  the 
country  to  see  a  patient,  attended  to 
his  otlice  patients  in  the  afternoon,  and 
in  the  evening  asked  to  be  taken  to  hia 
room,  which  he  left  but  once  afterwards 
to  pay  one  more  visit  to  his  offices. 
After  a  painful  illness,  lasting  six 
months,  he  entered  into  rest  March  12, 
1883.  Truly  for  him  "  no  sweeter  sound 
could  echo  through  the  corridors  of 
Heaven,  than  '  well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thv  Lord.'" 


(21) 


Papers   Read 


BEFORE  TIIIv 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 
o!  Frankford. 


Vol.   I.         No.  2. 


Frankford  and  the  Main 
Street  65  Years  Ago. 

BY  DR.  WILLIAM  B.  DIXON. 


REPRINTED   FROM 
THE   FRANKFORD  GAZETTE" 
I90T. 


Description  of  the  Old  Main 

Street  of  Frankford,  65 

Years  Ago. 


(By  Dr.  WiUiaiii  I'..  Dixon). 
The  writer  became  acquainted  with 
Frankford  in  1838,  and  made  his  first 
jinirney  to  it  in  a  puMie  conveyance  in 
1840.  From  the  census  of  1840  we  learn 
that  the  population  was  2376  persons. 
The  borough  was  bounded  on  the  south 
by  Frankford  creek  and  on  the  north  and 
east  by  Tacony  creek,  now  known  as 
Dark  Run;  westward  by  lauds  of  Jacob 
^  Smith  and  others.     The   main  approach 

^  from   the  south   was  by  the   way   of  the 

Pliiladelphiaand  Bristol  turnpike.    When 
Frankford  was  made  into  a  Borough  in 
I'v^  V  iSoo,  the  Borough  Council  ordained  that 

I  '\i  J  the  road  as  it  passed  through  Frankford 

"^  '  should  be  called  the  .Main  Street     (Note- 

In  the  early  days  it  was  bordered  by 
trees,  many  of  them  Lombardy  Poplars, 
and  was  called  by  visitors,  who  in  the 
summer  months  drove  out  from  the  City, 
the  street  of  beautiful  vistas.  The  Bristol 
turnpike  was  the  direct  line  of  travel  be- 
tween Phihulelpliin  and  New  York,  and 
was  the  main  thorouKhfare  used  by  farm- 
ers of  the  surrounding  counties  in  lirin^'- 
ing  their  farm  products  to  the  I'hiladel- 
phia  market.  There  was  consequently 
considerable  travel  over  the  rond.  (Note 
—The  earliest  reference  to  it  we  have  met 
with  is  in  a  letter  written  by  Silas  Dean, 
a  delegate  from  Connecticut  to  the  first 

(1) 


Continental  Congress  which  assembled  in 
Carpenter's  Hall  in  1774.  Silas  Dean 
writes  to  his  wife,  "that  he  was  met  at 
the  entrance  of  Frankford  by  a  commit- 
tee who  escorted  him  along  a  beautiful 
road  bordered  on  each  side  by  meadows, 
which  reminded  him  of  the  fertile 
meadows  of  the  Connecticut  Valley  at 
home.") 

As  late  as    1830    a    Hue   of  coaches 
ran    through    Frankford;    daily,    to    and 
from   New    York.    To   accommodate   the 
travel,    three    coaches    often    ran    at    a 
time.    They    carried    the   mail   and   other 
valuable  matter,  and  each  coach  was  ac- 
companied by  a  United  States  soldier,  to 
protect  them  and  repulse  any  attack  that 
might  be  made  by  road  agents,  as  they 
wei'B  called,  and  who  did  not  hesitate  to 
risk  their  lives   to    obtain  possession  of 
the  rich  booty  carried  by  the  coaches. 

As  early  as  the  year  1830,  and 
until  1845  there  was  a  daily  express 
maiutained  by  the  great  lottery  compan- 
ies of  that  day  between  New  York  and 
Philadelphia.  The  express  consisted  of 
men  on  horseback,  who  rode  at  full  speed 
and  changed  horses  every  ten  miles.  Their 
approach  was  heralded  by  a  blast  from 
a  horn  notifying  the  hostler  of  the  Inns  to 
have  the  next  horse  in  readiness.  Tlie 
man  rode  at  full  speed  until  he  reached 
the  side  of  the  waiting  horse,  and,  with 
his  saddlebag  on  his  arm,  without  dis- 
mounting, he  vaulted  from  one  horse  to 
the  other,  and  before  one  could  realize  it 
he  was  on  his  way  at  full  gallop  and 
soon  out  of  sight.  This  express  was  an 
event  of  interest  daily  watched  for. 

In  1840,  three  lines  of  omnibuses  were 
running  between  Frankford  and  Phila- 
delphia, including  one  from  Holmesburg 
and  one  from  Bustleton.  The  fare  from 
Frcnkford    was    twenty-five    cents,    and 

(2) 


from  IIiiliiicslmrK  and  nustlotoii  fifty 
(•cuts.  Tlie  cofiolioH  fur  Fraiikfin-tl  left 
Hall's  llotol,  on  Sofond  strci-t  holow 
Arch,  mill  trnvi'li-d  iiortli  on  Rocond 
street  to  Master  street,  then  east  on 
Master  street  to  Frankford  road  (where 
ou  the  northwest  corner  stood  the  Ken- 
sington Commissioners'  liall);  thence  up 
Frankford  road  to  Philip  Miller's  tavern, 
wliii.li  stood  on  the  nortlieust  corner  of 
Frankford  road  and  Hanover  street. 
This  was  the  regular  stopping  place  for 
collecting  the  fares  and  watering  the 
horses.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  street 
was  an  old  frame  house  called  the  Black 
Horse  Tavern.  The  White  Horse  Tav- 
ern was  a  stone  building.  These  two 
buildings  were  very  odd  at  that 
time.  The  frame  building  is  still  stand- 
ing and  is  a  juuk  shop.  North  of  the 
White  Horse  Tavern  were  and  arc  still 
standing,  two  very  old  small  houses,  oue- 
and-a-half-story  high.  They  were  below 
the  regulation  grade,  and  it  required  two 
fcteps  down  to  enter  them.  To  the  left 
and  opposite  these  houses,  standing  well 
in  from  the  road,  stood  an  old  Colonial 
liuibling,  with  the  regulation  porch  in 
front.  It  was  surrounded  by  large  trees 
and  had  evidently  at  one  time  been  the 
couutiy  seat  of  one  of  the  favored 
citizens  of  Philadelphia.  Crossing 
a  lane  on  the  left,  we  came  to  the  old 
Trenton  depot,  a  large  frame  shed.  It 
was  to  this  place  that  Abraham  Lincohi 
came  on  his  way  to  Washington  in  1801. 
Passengers  left  the  cars  and  took  hacks 
and  omnibuses  to  get  into  the  city.  There 
were  no  cross  streets  until  we  reached 
Frankford.  After  leaving  the  Trenton 
depot  the  houses  were  few  and  far  be- 
tween. The  first  one  of  note  was  a  large 
Colonial  building  on  the  left,  and,  like  all 
buildings  of  early  date,  it  was  surrounded 

(3) 


by  trees.  One  large  elm  tree  stood 
in  the  yard  with  its  immense  branches 
reaching  nearly  across  the  road. 
This  cottage  was  called  Elm  cottage,  and 
later  on  was  opened  as  a  hotel,  called  the 
Elm  Tree  Hotel.  After  leaving  this 
house  we  cross  the  Trenton  Railroad, 
over  which  the  fire  engines  were  taken  to 
the  great  fire  in  New  York  in  1835.  The 
cars  w^ere  at  that  time  drawn  by  horses. 
In  1840  trains  drawn  by  locomotives  were 
run.  Here  we  travel  through  a  flour- 
ishing farming  district.  In  the  summer 
season  are  fields  of  waving  corn,  wheat, 
oats  and  buckwheat,  delighting  the  eye 
of  the  passengers,  the  buckwheat  fields 
reminding  one  of  the  joys  in  store  for  the 
coming  winter  after  Jack  Frost  has 
ripened  the  grain.  Buckwheat  cakes  and 
Jersey  sausage  was  the  favorite  break- 
fast meal.  To  the  left,  as  we  travel 
north,  was  an  old  Colonial  house,  the 
summer  residence  of  Doctor  Charles  E. 
Pancoast.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  physicians  in  the  county, 
most  eminent,  physicians  in  the  county, 
and  was  the  author  of  several  medical 
books  which  for  a  long  time  were  the 
leading  text  books  in  the  colleges.  Then 
came  a  frnme  tavern  of  olden  times,  also 
an  old  blacksmith  shop.  Both  have  long 
since  given  way  to  improvements.  On 
the  east  side  was  the  Rush  farmhouse.  It 
was  a  lai'ge  double  house  with  front 
porch  and  large  lawn  ai'ound  it.  This 
ground  is  now  occupied  by  the  Sherman 
Public  School.  Next  in  order  was  the 
old  tollgate  which  stood  directly  opposite 
Hart  lane.  It  remained  there  until  the 
city  purchased  the  pike  from  the  White 
Horse  Tavern  to  the  half-way  house,  or 
what  is  now  Allegheny  avenue.  Alle- 
gheny avenue  was  not  opened  then.  Hart 
lane   ran   from   the   turnpike    to    Front 

(4) 


stri'ot.     Nurth  of  the  toll^jate  was  a  largo 
brick  buihliiiB  of  more  modern  build  than 
the   Colonial   residences.    It   stood     back 
frmn  the  pike  niid  was  stirnmnilod  by  u 
larire  lawn  tilled  with  fruit  trees.  A  stotit> 
wall  ran  the  full  lenyth.    It  was  at  one 
time  occupied  by  Mr.  Umivier,  a  wholesale 
merchant  in  the  city.     Opposite  this  prop- 
erty was  the  Franklin  Cemetery.  It  stixid 
quite  a  distance  from  tlio  road  and  was 
approached     by    a  lovely  drive,  bordered 
on    each    side    by    large    trees,    making    a 
pretty  sight  from  the  pike.    North  of  this 
was  the  country  residence  of  Mr.  I^aury. 
a   iiroiv.inent  jeweler  in   the     city.    Then 
came     the  residence  of  Mr.  Willing,  alsn 
a   merchant   in  the  city.      Then  Thomas 
Wigging's   property.       He   was  a   well- 
known        jeweler        of       Tenth       and 
Chestnut   streets.     Here   there  is   quite  a 
descent    in    the   road,  at   the   bottom   of 
descent    of    the    pike,    at    the   bottom    of 
which   is   a    stone   bridge   over   Gunners' 
Run,  quite  a  stream  at  that  time;  but  now 
a  large  sewer.    This   bridge  was   known 
as  Stanover's  bridge,  being  on  Mr.  Stan- 
over's  property. 

There  were  no  houses  of  mte  on 
the  east  side  of  the  pike  up  to  this  point. 
It  being  all  farm  land.  From  Gunners' 
Run  north  there  was  a  steep  ascent,  also 
called  Stanover's  Hill.  To  the  right  was 
:he  farmhouse  of  the  Stanovers'  farm. 
1  row  of  trees  ran  in  front  of  the  prop- 
erty and  a  large  lawn  with  many  large 
:rees  made  it  a  pleasant  place.  From 
Ihis  hill  to  Goose  Town,  -» •  both  sides 
5f  the  pike  was  farm  land,  with  here 
md  there  a  farmhouse,  but  no  building  of 
lote.  Some  distance  below  Goose  Town 
R-as  Harrowgate  lane.  It  was  on  the 
nest  side  of  the  pike  and  was  the  only 
jntrance  to  the  fashionable  summer  re- 
iort.  Harrowgate,  and  in  the  early  yenra 

(5) 


ȣ   the    Eighteenth   Century   was     much 
traveled.    Nearly   opposite   to   this     lane 
was  Button-wood  lane,  leading  to  Chalk- 
ley    Hall   lane.    On    this   lane   -were    the 
residences  of  Michael  Newbold  and  Mr. 
Kaufman,    and     later   on   the     chemical 
works   of   Mr.  Geisse.      We   next   reach 
a  small  hamlet  known  as  Goose  Town, 
now,  Aramingo.     As  we  enter  it,  we  see 
on  the  east  side  a  double  brick  building 
of  some  note.    I  have  not  been   able  to 
learn   who    the   early   owners   were;   but 
later  on  in  the  '40s  it  was  purchased  and 
occupied  by  the  widow  of  Dr.  Hou.ston, 
who    previous    to    that    time    resided    ou 
Frankford  road  opposite  the  country  resi- 
dences   mentioned.    This      house    is    still 
Btaudiug.    Opposite  was  the  residence  of 
Dr.  Veal,  a  prominent  physician  of  that 
period.    Adjoining  this  property  was  the 
residence   of   Mr.    Geisse.    These    houses 
stood  some  distance  from  the  road.    On 
each  side  of  the  walk  to  the  Geisse  resi- 
dence was  a  large  glass  ball  on  a  pedestal, 
which    reflected    on    its    surface    the    sur- 
rounding country.    The  Schlicter  mansion 
now  occupies  the  propei'ties  of  Dr.  Veal 
and  Mr.  Geisse.    After  passing  a  number 
of  small  houses  on  the  left  we  come  to 
Wheat    Sheaf    lane.    This    lane    ran    for 
some  distance  eastward  along  the  south 
bank   of   Frankford   Creek.    Beyond   the 
Trenton  Railroad  and  opposite  Chalkley 
Hall  lane  was  the  old  Colonial  residence 
of      Thomas        Chalkley,      known        as 
Chalkley  Hall,    but  for  many  years  the 
property  and  residence  of  Edward  Weth- 
erel.    North   of   this   lane  was   the   resi- 
dence of  James  Brooks.    His  grounds  ex- 
tended from  Wheat  Sheaf  lane  to  Frank- 
ford Creek,  and  from  the  pike  to  the  rail- 
road.   It  is  now  the  site  of  the  Vici  leath- 
er works  of  the  Robert  Foerderer  Com- 
pany.   Mr.  Brooks  was  a  machinist  and 

(6) 


his  works  wi'io  on  tbf  liaiik  i>f  the  creek. 
James  Brnuks  was  a  loailiiis'  man  of  tlio 
community.  The  last  of  hia  family  passcl 
away  two  years  n>;o  in  the  person  of  his 
daughter.  Mrs.  Henry  M.  Taylor.  Wo 
now  reach  the  dividing  lino  hetweon  the 
borough  of  Frankford  and  the  old  tinin- 
corponited  Northern  I^iberties.  (Note — 
The  unincorporated  Northern  Liberties 
extended  from  Kensington  to  the  Frank- 
ford    creek. 

The  Frankford  creek  was  a  cool,  clear 
stream    of   water   with   pebble    bed.    and 
with  a  cluster  of  trees  and  bushes  on  the 
west  bank.     It  was  full  of  tish  of  differ- 
ent kinds  that  could  be  plainly  seen  from 
its  banks.    The  tide  from  the  Delaware 
River  extended  to  the  breast  of  the  dam 
at  high  tide.    It  was  navigable  for  canal 
boats  and  sloops  as  far  as  the  bridge,  and 
many    of   those   boats   and   lumber   rafts 
came  to  the  wharf.    On  the  south  side  of 
the  creek,  and  east  of  the  ^Yethe^el  prop- 
erly was  a  coal  and  lumber  yard  kept  by 
Mina  Rogers.    In  the  centre  of  the  creek 
on   the  south   side   of   the   bridge  was   a 
small  island  on  which  were  some  stunted 
trees.    Recent    improvements    have    ob- 
literated   the    islar.d    and      changed      the 
course  of  the  river.    To  the  right,  as  we 
approach    the      bridge    was    a    two-story 
stone  rough-cast   house,        occupied      by 
Hiram  Stanhope,  then   a   partner  <if  Mr. 
Brooks.    The  clear  running  waters  of  the 
creek  is  now  a  receptacle  for  the  refuse 
water  from   a   number   of   mills   and   the 
discharge   of   numerous   sewers.    On   the 
right  approach  to  the  borough  and  cImso 
to  the  pike  is  the  old  anti-revolutionary 
mill.     It  was  to  this  mill  that  Lydia  Dar- 
rah      came      for    flour    and      left      her 
bags,    while      she    rode    to    Washington's 
camp  to  notify  him  of  Lord  Howe's  inten- 
tion   to   surprise    and    capture   his   small 

(7) 


army.  It  is  a  great  pity  this  old  land- 
mark could  not  have  been  preserved. 
(Note— It  is  said  the  mill  was  originally 
one  of  a  fevp  mills  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
city,  which  for  many  years  supplied 
Philadelphia  with  flour.  Boatloads  of 
grain  came  up  the  creek  to  be  ground 
into  meal.  The  need  of  flour  was  the 
reason  Lydia  Darrah  gave  for  obtaining 
permit  to  pass  through  the  British  lines. 
Adjoining  the  mill  on  the  east  was  the 
handsome  residence  of  Captain  Thomas 
W.  DuflBeld,  an  old-fashioned  Colonial 
building  painted  yellow  (as  most  Colonial 
buildings  were.)  Colonel  Duffield  was 
well  known  and  respected.  He  was  a 
military  man  and  well  did  he  fill  his  sta- 
tion. At  that  time  the  law  required  all 
male  citizens  between  the  ages  of  21  and 
45  to  assemble  once  each  year  for  the 
purpose  of  being  instructed  and  drilled 
in  the  mihtary  tactics  of  the  period  It 
was  a  motley  group.  As  there  were  no 
arms  furnished,  shotguns,  revolutionary 
muskets,  canes,  or  broomhandles.  were 
carried.  There  were  no  uniforms.  The 
famer  came  from  his  fields,  the  mason 
from  his  trowel,  the  carpenter  from  his 
bench  and  the  tipler  from  the  tavern. 
Anyone  failing  to  obey  the  law  was  fined 
two  dollars.  (Note — The  following  bill 
for  non-attendance  to  militia  duties  was 
sent  to  Dr.  Robert  Burns: 

Philadelphia  Co.,  November  14,  1832, 

Sir:— you  are  hereby  required  to  pay 
within  ten  days  from  this  date  the  sum 
of  two  ($2)  dollars,  being  fine  incurred 
from  neglect  of  miHtia  duties  on  the  day 
of  training  appointed  by  law  for  the 
Third  Regiment,   P.   M.,  for  1832. 

William  L.  Barber,  Collector. 

It  is  needless  to  say  the  fine  was  paid 
and  receipt  given  for  the  same. 

Opposite  Col.  Duffield's  stood  the  home 

(8) 


of  Cljristoplier  Coon  (better  known  us 
Stiifled  Coonl,  the  niillor.  Tliis  was  an 
old-fashioned  frame  hnildinjir,  and  is  still 
standing.  At  that  time  it  was  snr- 
rouiuled  l>j-  frnit  and  shade  trees  with  a 
yardeu  in  the  rear.  Mr.  Coon  was  an 
elder  of  the  Prchbyterian  Chnreh,  or- 
dained 1S'2\).  He  was  a  man  in  tiie  full 
meaning  of  the  word.  .Xo  one  ever  took 
Rrist  to  his  mill  who  did  not  get  a  full 
return.  These  two  houses  fronted  on  a 
lane,  now  Mill  street.  On  the  right  of  the 
pike  between  Mill  street  and  Tacony  road 
stood  two  small  frame  houses.  One  was 
occupied  by  a  colored  man  named  Samuel 
Jackson.  He  had  n  peculiar  impediment 
in  his  speech,  which  was  inherited  by  his 
children.  Ho  was  a  strange  character 
and  not  overly  particular  as  to  how  he 
made  both  ends  of  his  .■.ccouuts  meet. 
When  he  reached  the  end  of  his  rope  he 
took  the  benefit  of  the  bankrupt  act  ami 
considering  his  debt  all  paid,  started  new 
accounts. 

We  now  come  to  that  which  was 
the  garden  spot  of  the  town — Worrell 
street,  which  ran  between  Tacony  and 
Main  streets.  Between  it  and  Frankford 
road  was  a  race  that  furnished  power  to 
the  mill.  The  water  came  from  Duf- 
field's  dam,  running  under  the  pike  at 
Adams  street.  It  was  a  pretty  stream  of 
clear  water,  about  five  feet  deep,  and  its 
grassy  l)anks  were  shaded  by  tall  trees, 
ami  in  the  middle  of  its  course  it  was 
crossed  by  a  rustic  bridge.  Here  on  sum- 
mer evenings  the  young  came  to  stroll 
and  enjoy  the  cool  breezes  that  came 
across  the  meadow.  On  the  east  side  of 
Worrell  street  was  a  row  of  frame 
houses,  with  one  exception.  The  house 
of  Mr.  John  Briggs  was  of  brick.  These 
houses  had  front  and  side  yards,  and 
were  painted  white  (as  were  the  fences^ 

(9) 


and  with  green  blinds  made  a  pretty 
background  to  the  scene.  On  the  west 
side  of  the  creek  as  we  approach  the  Bor- 
ough lay  a  tract  of  land  known  as  Buck- 
ius'  ISIeadow.  owned  by  Peter  Bnckius,  a 
business  man  closely  identified  with  the 
interests  of  Fraukford.  His  house  was 
reached  from  Buckius'  lane,  and  was  an 
old-time  house  built  before  tlie  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Buckius'  Meadow  had  a 
history.  Every  spring  the  creek  over- 
flowed its  banks,  and  the  meadow  was 
covered  to  a  considerable  depth  of  water, 
which  deposited  a  layer  of  rich  fertilizing 
soil,  tlint  brou.uht  foitli  abundant  crops 
year  after  year.  It  was  generally  planted 
with  corn,  whose  tall  stalks  and  large 
ears  were  admired  by  thousands  of  pass- 
ersi)y.  In  later  years  it  was  used  as  a 
truck  patch,  but  its  beauty  and  useful- 
ness is  gone.  It  has  become  a  dumping 
ground  for  refuse.  Teter  Buckius  was 
a  trustee  of  tlie  Pi-esbyteriau  Cluirch. 
Another  old  house,  similar  in  size  and 
construction  to  the  Buckius  house,  stood 
on  a  hill  to  the  west  of  the  Frankford 
road,  surrounded  by  large  farming  lanrLs. 
This  was  the  home  of  Nicholas  Wain.  It 
was  afterwards  occupied  by  John  II.  Sav- 
age.    Nicholas  ^^'aIn  died  in  the  .50s. 

This  paper  leave>.  us  at  the  entrance  of 
the  old  Main  street  of  tlie  town. 

In  V)eginning  the  history  of  old  Main 
street  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to 
describe  the  conditions  of  tlie  street,  or 
properly  speaking,  the  continuation  of 
Bristol  turnpike  that  ran  through  r.rank- 
ford  at  that  period.  The  width  of  the 
street  was  the  same  as  now,  about  forty- 
five  feet. 

The  grade  has  been  materially  altered 
since  that  time.  In  the  centre  of  the  street 
ran  a  space  twenty  feet  in  width  that 
wns    macadamized.    This    was    the    pike 

(10) 


l>iMl'<'i'-     •>"    I'itlier    .siili'    tlioro    was    fniin 
tell  to  twelve  feet  of  inotlier  enrtli  tliat  in 
the   spring,  ami  diiriiiK'  wi-t    woatlier  was 
simply    miillior   mud,    ami   oil    siK-li    occa- 
sioQS  was  a  bad  place  for  vehicles.    Ileie 
ami  there  were  spaces  before  some  enter- 
prising  business   men's    stores   that    hail 
been    clcaiied    of    the    mud,    and    bnikcii 
stones    laid    down,    makinf;    a    good    soliil 
roadway.      'I'licio     were     no    sewers       or 
water   or    gas    pipes    under    the    ground, 
and   consequently    no   necessity   for   tear- 
ing   the    street    up.    As    mentioned    in    a 
former  i)aper,  there  was  no  way   of  get- 
ting    water    but    from     the    clouds     and 
wells,  therefore  a  number  of  pumps  were 
distributed  along  each  side  of  the  street 
These  pumps  belonged    to  the  property 
owners,   who   supplied   them   with   cups 
fastened  with  chains,  to  accomodate  the 
thirsty  wayfarer.  These  pumps  furnished 
a   liberal   supply   of   the   best   cool,   clear 
;um1  pure  water.    And  many  thirsty  mor- 
t;ds  quenched  their  thirst  at  these  foun- 
tains.   The     enterprising     persons     who 
maintained  the  pumps  will,  or  have  surely 
reaped  a  just  reward.    I  will  say  here  in 
passing  that  later  on,  the  Borough  Coun- 
cils  enlarged   these   wells   and   converted 
ll'.em    into    impromptu    lire    plugs,    which 
remained  until  water  was  int  roduced  about 
1855  through  pipes  from  the  Kensington 
basin  at  Sixth  and  Lehigh  avenue.  These 
pumps    extended    from    .-\dams  street    to 
what  is  now  Wakeling  street.     The  curl)- 
ing  in  use  at  that  time  was      made    of 
thick      planks      nailed    to    strong    posts 
driven    into    the   ground,  and  it  required 
frequent   renewing. 

There  were  no  paved  gutters  to 
carry  off  surface  water,  only  such 
as  the  ground  afforded,  and  it  rested  with 
the  occupant  of  the  houses  to  see  that 
the  gutters  were  kept  clean.     If  not  they 

(11) 


became  a  source  of  annoyance  and  a 
menace  to  health.  There  were  no  brick 
pavements  until  in  the  early  20's  when 
the  first  brick  pavement  was  laid  in 
front  of  Colonel  Burns'  property  on  Main 
street,  west  side,  between  what  is  now 
Ridge  or  Gillingham  street  and  Orthodox 
street  or  Smith's  lane.  About  the  same 
time  Mahlon  Murphy  had  one  laid  in 
front  of  his  property  on  Main  above 
Unity  street,  west  side.  These  pavements 
were  such  a  curiosity  that  people  went 
out  of  their  way  to  walk  on  them.  They 
were  for  some  time  the  only  brick  pave- 
ments in  Frankford.  The  houses  on  both 
sides  of  the  street  stood  well  back  fron 
the  highway.  Some  of  them  had  flower 
gardens  in  front  and  many  of  them  no 
fences,   but   were  open   to  the   public. 

At  that  period  the  houses  were  all 
two  and  a  half  stories  high.  I  am  not 
aware  of  one  three  story  house  exist* 
ing  in  the  borough, 

I    am    not    certain    in    what    year    Mr. 

Sidebotham    built    his    houses    on    Main 

street  above  Pine  street,  where  they  still 

stand,   but   I   think   it   was   in   the   early 

40s.    They   were    three   stories   high,   but 

later  on  he  added  another  story  to  them 

for  use   as  Lodgs  rooms.      The  spirit  of 

improvement  had  not  reached  Frankford 

and    for   some    time   the   appearance    of 

Main   street   remained   unaltered.     This 

was  the  reign  of  the  whitewash  brush,  and 

a  storekeeper     who  did  not     carry  a  ftill 

line  of  brushes  might   as  well  have  been 

without  a  full  line  of  sugar  or  coffee. 

A  stranger  riding  through  town  would 
have  been  surprised  as  well  as  pleased  at 
the  prevalence  of  king  lime.  The  thrifty 
housekeeper  would  as  soon  omit  the 
spring  house  cleaning  as  to  neglect  apply 
ing  a  bountiful  coast  of  whitewash  to 
both  the  inner  and  outer  walls  of  houses. 
(12) 


Fences,  trees,  posts,  stumps  of  trees  am' 
even  large  stones  received  coatings  of 
lime.  The  stones  often  looked  like  sweet 
babies  witli  Inni,'  clothes  on. 

There  were  a  number  of  trees  growing 
on  each  side  of  the  street.  Some  of  tliem 
stood  on  the  pavements  and  some  ont- 
side  of  the  curb.  Hitching  posts  were 
many  of  them  outside  of  the  curb  and  in 
case  of  a  runaway  made  short  work  ol 
vehicles  These  posts  were  removed  about 
1850  by  an  ordinance  of  the  Borough  Coun- 
.ils.  At  that  lime  horse  cars  were  rvm 
over  the  Treuttm  liailroud,  and  any  one 
who  wanted  to  ride  in  them  walked  to 
Hilles'  coal  yard  and  climbed  up  a  steep 
Might  of  steps  to  reach  them.  These  cars 
ran  only  between  the  present  freight 
depot,  Frankford  road  and  Front  street, 
and  Tacony  and  Bristol. 

Our  first  paper  brought  us  to  the  south 
entrance  of  Main  street,  which  began  at 
Adams  road  or  street.  At  that  point  the 
old  front  street  terminated.  Here  stood 
an  old  timber  bridge  across  the 
creek.  Old  Front  street  road  was  a 
country  road  west  of  Frankford  road, 
and  much  used  in  summer  time  by  all 
clas.scs  of  travelers;  for,  besides  being  a 
pleasant  drive  through  the  country,  it  was 
a  free  road,  and  by  going  that  way  they 
escaped  paying  the  toll,  which  in  those 
days  was  a  considerable  item  of  expense 
to  tho.se  going  often  to  the  city.  In  the 
winter  and  spring  Front  street  road  was 
at  times  impassable.  Between  Front 
street  road  and  Adams  street  there  was 
a  two-story  building  used  as  a  factory, 
but  generally  unoccupied.  The  present 
mill  building  was  not  built. 
We  now  come  to  the  first  and  probably 
the  oldest  street  or  road  in  Frankford  en- 
tering Main  street,  Adams  road  or  street. 
It  was  generally  built  upou  the  south  side 

(13) 


as  far  as  the  bend  where  it  turns  to  the 
right    to    conform    to    the    creek.      That 
Adams  road  was  an  old  one  is  proven  by 
the  fact  tliat  a  number  of  these  buildings 
were  old  buildings  in  1840  and  some  of 
them  occupied   by  prominent   citizens   of 
the  borough.  We  first  notice  the  residence 
of  Major  Mitcheal  Bomeister,  an  old  citi- 
zen.   He  was  a  German  by  birth  and  well 
known  and  respected.    Then  the  homes  of 
Robert  Harper,   Benjamin-     Deal,     John 
Shuttleworth,  Godfrey  Hoffman  and  final- 
ly Ezra  Shallcross,  whose  residence  was 
opposite  Edward  street,     and     attracted 
considerable   notice  by   its   pretty   flower 
garden    and    shade    trees.    A   number   of 
those  living  along  the  dam  had  rowboats 
and  many  a  jolly  party  of  young  folks  en- 
joyed the  pleasure  of  moonlight  rides  or, 
the  dam.  How  changed  the  prospect  now! 
Instead  of  a  body  of  clear,  cool  water,  it 
is  the  receptacle  of  waste  water  from  dye 
houses  and  the  sewerage  of  a  large  watei 
shed.    While  improvements  are  to  be  en- 
couraged they  often  bring   sad   changes 
There     were   very  few  buildings  on  th; 
north  side;  the  first  worthy  of  note  was 
a  frame  factory,  owned  and  operated      s 
a  cotton  mill  by  George     W.     Womrath; 
afterwards   it  was  converted  into  dwell- 
ing houses  that  are  still  standing.    The 
only  otliei     building    was  the  residence 
of  Joseph  Rorer,  on  the   northwest  cor- 
ner of  Adams  and  Edward      streets,    so 
ramed  after  Dr.  Jonathan  Edwards,  now 
called   Penn   street.     It  was  a  two-story 
building  standing  back  from  both  streets, 
and  was  surrounded   by   vines,  fruit  and 
shade  trees.     It   was    a  pretty  place,  es- 
pecially in  the  summer,    when    its    cool, 
shady  surroundings  made    it   an   inviting 
spot.    This   was   the   only  other  building 
on  the  north  side  of  the  street. 
Adams  street,  after  making  the  bend, 
(14) 


rail  northward  to  where  Piue  street 
(now  Churc-li  Htrocl)  joined  it.  There  was 
for  a  lon^  tiuu'  a  difference  of  opinion  as 
to  the  junction  of  the  two  streets;  some 
contending  that  Adams  street  ran  into 
Pine  street;  others  vice  versa.  We  now 
leave  Adams  street  for  the  present  and 
return  to  Main  street.  On  the  northwest 
corner  of  Main  and  Adams  streets  was  a 
two-story  frame  buildinj?  occupied  as  a 
{grocery  store  kept  by  .Toini  Slerlin^;.  It 
was  considered  a  good  stand  for  a  store, 
as  it  caught  the  travel  on  both  streets. 
Mr.  Sterling  conducted  the  business  for  a 
number  of  years  until  he  died.  Next  to 
the  store  was  tiie  blacksmith  and  wheel- 
wright shops  of  Ezra  Shallcross.  It  was 
one  of  the  busiest  places  in  Frankford 
iiiid  occupied  a  considerable  space,  ex- 
tending back  to  Adams  street.  Mr. 
Shallcross  was  a  man  who  stood  high  in 
the  estimation  of  all  who  knew  him.    A 

Deacon  of  the  Baptist  Church,  he  lived  as 
he  professed,  to  do  as  an  honest,  upright 
Christian,  who  put  thegolden  rule  into  all 
transactions,  lie  hammered  his  religion 
into  his  horseshoes,  he  nailed  it  into  every 
part  of  his  vehicles,  rubbed  it  in  with  his 

paint  brushes,  and  never  allowed 
a  piece  of  work  leave  his  place  until  he 
was  well  satisfied  that  it  was  worth  all 
he  charged  for  it.  Frankford  lost  a  good 
citizen  when  Ezra  Shallcross  gave  up  his 
business  and  moved  into  the  country  to 
eiijiiy  that  rest  he  had  so  faithfully  and 
honestly  earned.  Next  to  the  shops  were 
two  small  one-and-a-half-story  houses.  I 
am  not  sure,  but  think  they  were  old- 
fashioned  log  houses.  They  stood  a  little 
off  from  the  street  with  flower  gardens  in 
front.  Then  comes  a  building  of  some 
note  at  the  time  it  was  built.  It  was  a 
two-and-a-half  story  stone  building  with 
a  portico  or  porch  the  full  width  of  the 

(15) 


house,  which  was  a  double  oue.  The 
porch  roof  was  supported  by  four  rouud 
pillars  that  gave  it  a  fine  appearance.  It 
was  occupied  by  a  Mr.  Bley  as  a  dry 
goods  store;  but  in  the  early  40'shesold 
out  to  a  Mr.  Peter  Boyer.  From  this  point 
on  there  were  several  buildings  of  frame, 
one  of  which  was  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Higgs,  who  was  the  father  of  Mr. 
William  Higgs,  for  so  many  years  well 
known  and  respected.  Then  came  the 
Kiachinc  v/orks  of  Samuel  Brooks.  This 
building  backed  on  to  the  lawn  of  Mr. 
George  P.  VVonirath.  Later  oh  Mr. 
Brooks  built  a  fine  brick  building  and 
dwelling  house,  adjoining  his  works, 
where  he  lived  for  several  years  until  he 
retired  from  business  and  purchased 
what  was  knnw.i  as  the  Pickering  prop- 
erty, bounded  l)y  Ruan  street  on  the 
south,  Edward  street  on  the  west.  Pine 
street  on  the  north  and  a  row  of  build- 
ings on  the  east.  It  had  been  for  a  long 
time  the  residence  of  Dr.  Pickering,  a 
well-known  and  prominent  physician  of 
that  period.  It  was  a  large,  double,  brick 
building,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  pine 
trees,  and  was  called  the  Pine  orchard. 
Pine  street  took  its  name  from  Dr.  Pick- 
ering's place.  Mr.  Brooks  lived  there 
until  his  death.  We  now  come  to  a  place 
of  considerable  interest,  viz.:  the  resi- 
dence and  park  of  George  F.  Womrath. 
As  probably  all  in  this  audience  have 
seen  it  in  its  beauty,  I  will  not  take 
the  time  to  describe  it  ;  but  it  was  a 
great  mistake  that  the  city  did  not  pur- 
chase it  for  a  park.  The  old  building 
standing  quite  a  distance  from  Main 
street,  with  its  beautiful  drive  to  the 
house,  its  elevated  position  commanding 
an  extended  view  to  the  sotth  and  west, 
the  noble  old  trees  wilh  their  wide 
spreading  branches,  and  the  fact  that  it 

(16) 


antcdatotl  tlu-  Ki-viilutionar.v  W;ir,  should 
have  strongly  appealed  totlie  powers  that 
were,  at  that  time,  and  it  should  have 
been  iniiirovod  and  couvorted  into  a  itark 
that  would  iiave  excited  liii;  i)atr:otism 
of  :i;:(.'s  to  fonin.  P.iit  iicrli.i [is,  forsooth, 
there  wa3  notanopportunity forsuflicieui 
graft  to  tempt  the  cupidity  of  our  city 
fathers.  Alas!  how  the  mighty  have 
falk'n,  and  what  shoidd  have  boon  lial- 
lowed  j;round  h;is  boon  tnincd  into  iihhy 
lucre.  There  were  several  old  buildiuRS 
on  the  i)r(H)orly,  only  one  or  two  re- 
niaining.  Fronting  on  Maii\  street  were 
threo  frame  houses  where  now  stands 
Romain  block.  In  the  first  lived  Mr.  John 
Deal,  who  was  iiostniaster  for  Frankford 
and  the  surrounding  country.  There  were 
no  free  deliveries  at  that  time,  and  it 
cost  from  two  to  five  cents  to  have 
letters  delivered,  the  charge  being  graded 
according  to  distance.  The  postage  on  a 
letter  from  Philadelphia  to  Frankfnrd 
was  five  cents.  Mr.  Deal  was  au  old 
resident  of  the  boiongh,  and  lived  until 
lS8o.  He  was  highly  respected  and 
widely  known.  A  professing  Christian, 
he  was  consistent  in  all  his  walks.  Peace 
be  to  his  ashes  I  Isaachar  Pugh  lived  in 
the  centre  one.  Andrew  Schoch  also  re- 
sided in  one  of  these  bouses.  He  lived  to  a 
good  old  age,  and  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Chipinan,  is  still  among  us  and  has  com- 
pleted her  eighty-fourth  year.  May  she 
live  to  see  many  more  happy  years.  At 
this  point  I  will  leave  the  west  side  of 
Main  street  and  go  back  to  the  houses 
on   th«  east   side. 

Mr.  Xewkamp,  a  pumpmaker,  occu- 
pied the  house  at  the  corner  of  Worrell 
and  Main  streets. 

Next  to  Mr.  Newkamp's  house  were 
several  frame  h(juses,  in  one  of  which 
lived    Absalom    Earned.    Mr.    P.arnod    at 


one  time  taught  school  in  the  old  academy 
on  Paul  street.  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Earned 
were  noted  for  their  musical  accomplish- 
ments, and  no  concert  or  musical  enter- 
tainment was  complete  without  their 
voices.  Their  names  on  the  programs  was 
sure  to  help  fill  the  room.  We  have  one 
of  their  daughters  living  among  us,  Mrs. 
William  M.  Horrocks,  loved  and  re- 
spected by  all  who  know  her.  The 
next  house  worthy  of  mention  was  owned 
by  Johuathan  Brook.  Mr.  Brook  will 
be  remembered  by  many  as  being  super- 
intendent of  the  gas  otfice  for  a  number 
of  years.  This,  of  course,  was  later  on. 
After  Mr.  Brook's  house  came  the  build- 
ing (now  standing)  on  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Green  streets.  It  was 
at  that  time  a  two-story  stone,  rough 
cast  building,  elevated  above  the  street, 
and  with  considerable  ground  around  it, 
the  ground  running  back  for  some  dis- 
tance on  Green  street.  The  house  had 
a  wide  side  yard.  It  was  owned  and 
occupied  by  a  Mr.  Thomas,  whose  first 
name  I  cannot  remember.  The  ground 
has  been  cut  down  to  the  pavement. 

On  the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and 
Green  streets  were  two  stone  houses,  now 
standing,  one  of  which  was  occupied  by 
Wm.  Shields,  better  known  as  '"Billy" 
Shields,  who  carried  on  a  grocery  store 
for  many  years.  To  the  north  of  these 
houses  was  the  old  time  hostelry  or 
tavern,  known  as  Our  House.  It  was 
kept  by  Mine  Host  Daniel  Faunce,  and 
was  a  favorite  stopping  place  for  way- 
farers. It  is  one  of  the  oldest  buildings 
in  Fraukford,  and  is  still  standing.  Mr. 
Faunce  was  an  ideal  mine  host,  and  a 
warm  welcome  always  awaited  any  one 
who  required  entertainment  for  man  or 
beast.  Here  I  will  leave  house  recording 
for  the  present. 

(18) 


At  the  period  of  which  I  ain  ■yMiliii« 
there  were  teu  grocery  stores  supiiiyiiii; 
the  needs  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  bur- 
riiiij;ii.  Uiic,  (111  the  ciiriicr  of  Ailaiiis 
street  and  Towder  Mill  lane,  kept  i)y 
Frank  Noble.  It  was  the  only  store  off 
the  Main  street  and  was  patronized  prin- 
cipally by  the  employees  of  tlie  surrovnid- 
inj;  factories.  The  next  was  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Adaius  streets,  and  was 
kept  by  John  Sterling.  Then  came  Wni. 
Shields'  above  Green  street,  then  Wm. 
Dewluirsl,  in  a  two-story  frame  bnildini; 
opposite  the  Golden  Fleece  Tavern.  Mr. 
Dewiiurst  afterwards  built  the  three- 
story  building  adjoining  the  old  market 
house,  and  now  occupied  as  a  fruit  store. 
He  removed  to  the  new  building  April  15, 
1845,  and  lived  there  until  his  death  May, 
1S4S.  Kali)h  Greenhalch  kei)t  a  grocery 
and  dry  go(.ids  store  on  the  east  side  of 
iMaiu  St.  istdoor  above  the  General  Pike 
Hotel.  .Joseph  Blomley  kept  on  Main 
street  below  Church  street,  east  side. 
Isaiah  Worrell,  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Main  and  Pine  streets;  Charles  Bol- 
ton, immediately  opposite  the  residence 
of  Dr.  E.  F.  Leake;  Samuel  Swope, 
southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Sellers 
streets,  and  Lewis  Emery,  opposite  the 
Jolly  Post  Tavern.  At  that  time  it  was 
customary  for  grocery  stores  to  sell 
liquor,  and  it  was  somewhat  peculiar  that 
five  of  these  sold  it  and  five  did  not.  There 
was  not  a  store  of  any  kind  off  of  the 
Main  street,  except  Frank  Noble's.  There 
were  also  six  houses  called  taverns  for 
the  entertainment  of  man  and  beast. 
Saloons  there  were  none.  They  were  un- 
known then.  In  granting  a  license  for 
taverns  the  law  required  each  one  to  be 
prepared  for  such  entertainment,  and 
well  was  it  complied  with  by  each  of  the 
Frankford  landlords,  and  nowhere  could 

(19) 


be  found  better  accommodations. 

The  rooms  were  large,  well-aired  and 
lighted.  Beds  of  the  softest  feathers  and 
bedding  of  the  finest  quality  and  as  white 
as  snow. 

The  tables  were  supplied  with  the  best 
the  market  afforded,  and  the  cooking 
could  not  be  excelled.  Of  the  means  of 
travel  between  the  city  and  Frankford  I 
have  already  spoken;  also  of  the  water 
supply.  There  was  as  much  wood  burned 
as  coal,  and  the  only  coal  yard  was  kept 
by  Wm.  Hilles,  the  great-grandfather  of 
the  present  generation  of  that  family. 

Afterwards  Mina  Rogers  kept  a  coal 
and  wood  wharf  on  the  south  side  of 
Frankford  creek,  east  of  Chalkley  Hall. 
All  coal  was  brought  to  Frankford  in 
canal  boats  by  way  of  Frankford  creek. 

I    will    now    resume    the    buildings    on 
Main   street.    North   of   Faunce's   tavern 
was  a  double  stone  house,  still  standing. 
It  was  a  fine  building  for  those  days  and 
was  occupied  by  Dr.  INIartiu.    Afterwards 
by  Mr.  Garsed,  father  and  grandfather  of 
the    Garsed   families,    who   still    reside 
among   us.     Mr.  Garsed   had   a   mill  on 
James  Brook's  property  where  the  Foer- 
derer  morrocco  works  now  stands.      Ad- 
joining the  stone  house  on  the  north  and 
extending  to  the  small  frame  house  now 
standing  was  the  lumber  yard  of  White- 
lock    &.    Griscom.     It    extended    back    to 
Paul  street,  and  they  carried  a  large  stock 
of  well  seasoned  lumber,  and  did  a  thriv- 
ing business.    It  was  for  a  long  time  the 
only  lumber  yard  in  Frankford.    Next  to 
it  on  the  north  was  the  small  one  and  a 
half  story  frame  building  I  have  several 
times  alluded  to.  It  stands  with  the  gable 
end  to  the  street   and   was  occupied  by 
Benjamin    Rogers.     Mrs.    Rogers    made 
and  sold  the  first  ice  cream  ever  made, 
aJid    sold    in    Frankford.      It    wa."5    sold 

(20) 


ill  small  K'lassi'S  at  from  one  to  tlirce 
c'tMits  a  glass.  Thoy  afterwards  mnvnl 
into  one  uf  the  K>>niain  Hlot-k  huildinKH 
and  oiu-ned  a  vi-ry  tine  ice  cream  saloon. 
Then  came  a  frame  buililinK'  staniling 
with  the  galile  end  to  the  street,  and  oc- 
cuiiied  by  \Vm.  Dewhurst  as  a  grocery 
store  uiilil  April,  ISlo.  Mr.  Dewhurst 
•Nvas  a  deacon  iu  the  Baptist  church  and  a 
good  Christian  man.  He  died  in  May, 
1848.  The  old  frame  store  was  moved 
back  to  Paul  street,  and  the  present 
three-stmy  lu-ick  house  was  built  by 
Charles  E.  Kremer  as  a  bakery.  Mr. 
Kremer  was  a  German,  and  was  an  hon- 
est, upright  man,  and  highly  respected. 
About  the  year  1844,  Joseph  Hallo- 
well  started  a  hmiber  yard  on  the 
property  now  occupied  by  the  gas  office, 
lire  house  and  police  station.  He  re- 
mained iu  the  business  uutil  his  death 
when  the  lot  was  vacated.  A  small  frame 
building  wliich  hail  been  .Mr.  Hallowell's 
oUice  was  occupied  by  James  L.  Wright, 
merchant  tailor.  Mr.  Wright  came  to  the 
borougli  a  young  man  with  tine  business 
qualities  and  soon  built  ui)  a  j^ood  nade< 
and  was  respected  for  his  straightforward 
honi'st  trausaeiions.  He  remained  for 
some  time  when,  seeing  a  better  opening 
in  the  city,  he  removed  from  the  borough. 
Then  came  a  stone  building,  still  stand- 
ing, occupied  by  Mr.  Hardmau,  as  a  tin- 
smith and  plumber.  The  next  business 
house  was  the  frame  (now  standing!, 
occupied  by  Wm.  T.  Wright  as  a 
hardware  store.  Mr.  Wright  had  long 
been  a  resident  of  Frankford  ami  was  a 
prominent  person  in  the  Methodist  church. 
For  many  years  his  store  was  the  only 
hardware  store  in  the  borough.  About 
184:i-l  l»r.  Robert  Burns  built  the  three- 
story  building  adjoining  Mr.  Wright'3 
property  on  the  north  and  lived  there 
(21) 


until  bo  died  in  1883. 

Then  came  two  old  stone  buildings  prob- 
ably among  the  first  built  in  Fraukford. 
Mr.  James  Williams  resided  in  the  first 
one.  Mr.  Williams  carried  on  cabinet 
making  and  luidertaking.  He  was  an  old 
resident  and  well  and  favorably  known. 
The  other  house  was  occupied  by  Joseph 
Blomley  as  a  grocery  store.  We  now 
come  to  one  of  the  oldest  land  marks  in 
Fraukford,  viz.,  the  old  market  house 
on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Church  streets. 
This  was  the  butcher's  market  of  Peter 
lUickius.  It  was  a  frame  building,  run- 
ning back  some  distance  on  Church 
street,  and  had  under  the  back  part  an  ice 
house  filled  with  clear  ice  from  DuffieLi's 
dam.  It  was  the  only  place  in  the 
Borough  that  provided  ice  for  sale.  This 
butcher  market  was  generally  attended 
to  by  John  Whartnaby,  who  for  a  long 
time  was  Mr.  Buckius'  right  hand  man. 
Almost  every  one  in  Fraukford  knew 
Mr.  Whartnaby,  and  as  long  as  the  old 
building  stood  the  old  man  was  remera- 
bercMl.  We  udw  come  to  another  old 
street,  Church  street,  so  named  from  the 
oldest  church  in  Fraukford,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Friend's  meeting  house,  at 
Unity  and  Wain  streets. 

We  will  now  go  back  to  the 
west  side  of  Main  street,  where  we 
left  off.  The  tirst  building  that  attracts 
our  notice  is  the  Golden  Fleece  Tavern 
kept  by  Captain  George  Snyder,  one  of 
the  military  men  of  that  period.  He  was 
captain  of  the  only  company  of  troop  that 
Fraukfoid  could  boast.  The  building  was 
a  two  story  and  a  half  double  house, 
pebble  dashed,  with  a  long  two-story 
back  building.  It  was  a  favorite  stop- 
ping place  for  farmers  and  travelers.  The 
building  was  of  long  standing  and  one 
of  the  well  known  landmarks  of  the  early 
(22) 


days  of  the  boroiifrh.     About  fifty  feet  to 
the  north  of  tliis  wjis  tlio  most  noted  aud 
best   known    laviTn    in    the    horoiigh,    llie 
Cross  Keys.     I  h:i\i'  no  \v:iy  of  ascertain- 
ing the  age  of  tlie  building  as  there  was 
no    one    living    at    that    time    who    could 
remember  anything  about  the  date  of  its 
erection.    The    first    person    who    kept    it 
of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge  (I  here 
«luote    from    hearsay)    was    an    Irishman, 
Pat  I>yous  by  name.  lie  had  been  hostler 
for    the    previous    landlord    aud    lind    ac- 
(Miinuhited   enough   money    to  buy   out   his 
emiiloyer,   and   conducted   the  place  with 
great   satisfaction    to    tin'    public.     After 
him  came  Benjanun  Isbourn.  Mr.  Isbourn 
was  a  gentlemanly  landlord,  very  popular 
and   highly  r('s(>ected.     After  Mr.  Ish(jurn 
came  a  widow,  ^Irs.  Catherine  Rice,  who 
took  it  in  the  early  20s  and  conducted  it 
for  many  years  until  death  removed  her. 
While   in   her   charge   it   was   a   favorite 
place  for  summer  boarders.    Among  these 
was  a  Cuban  patriot,  a  Mr.  Tolon,  who 
married    one    of    Mrs.    Kice's    daughters. 
He   was   a    refugee    from    Cuba   and    hi 
life   was   forfeited   if   he  returned   to   the 
island.     He    was    engaged     in    recruiting 
men  for  the  Cuban  patriot  army,  and  on 
one    occasion    a    friend    of    the    writer's 
called  on  him  to  inquire  about  enlisting. 
He    told    him    the    pay    would    be    eighty 
dollars  a  mouth  in  gold  and  found,  while 
in    the   service.    "Well,"   said   the  young 
man.  "'what  if  you  don't  succeedV"     Put- 
ting   his    left    arm    ui»    to    his    ear    and 
inunitating  hanging,   and   with  a  grin  on 
his   swarthy   face   he   snid.    "Found  dead 
on    the   battlefield."    My    friend    declined 
the    honor.    This    building    was    a    wide 
double  house  with  a  porch  the  fidl  width 
of   the   building,   and   like   the   other  was 
of   stone   and    pebble    dashed,     painted 
colonial   color,  aud   the  whole  establish- 

(23) 


ment  kept  in  the  best  order.  Mrs.  Rice 
would  have  nobody  about  her  who  was 
the  least  slovenly  in  any  respect,  and  she 
usually  attended  to  the  bar  herself.  These 
two  taverns  stood  about  twenty  feet  back 
from  the  pavement,  with  a  large  barn 
yard  and  sheds  attached  to  each  for  the 
accommodation  of  vehicles  of  all  descrip- 
ti<m.  Mrs.  Rice's  table  was  noted  for  the 
quantity  of  good  things  she  served,  and 
this  was  the  secret  of  her  prosperity.  It 
was  for  a  long  time  the  starting  point  of 
the  omnibusses. 

On  the  north  side  was  Ruan  street. 
Ruan  street  was  named  after  the  owner 
of  the  property  lying  between  Pine  and 
Ruan  street,  and  Edward  street  on  the 
west.  This  property  is  better  known  as 
the  Pickering  estate.  Dr.  Pickering  hav- 
ing purchased  it  from  the  Ruau's.  Ruan 
street  was  a  lane  dividing  the  Pickering 
property  from  the  Womrath  estate.  On 
the  north  corner  of  Ruan  street  was  the 
residence  of  James  and  John  Seddons,  a 
trim  frame  house  still  standing.  In  this 
house  James  Seddons  kept  a  dry  goods 
store  for  a  number  of  years.  They  were 
members  of  the  Swedeuborgian  Church. 
In  fact,  James  Seddons  was  a  minister  of 
that  denomination.  They  were  good  Chris- 
tians, good  citizens  and  good  neighbors, 
the  kind  of  men  people  delight  to 
honor.  Next  was  the  General  Pike  Hotel, 
kept  by  Robert  Thornton.  No  hotel  in 
the  place  stood  higher  in  the  estimation 
of  the  people  than  the  General  Pike.  Mr. 
Thornton  was  a  genial,  sociable  landlord, 
a  good  business  man  and  honorable  in 
his  intercourse  with  his  acquaintances. 
Mrs.  Thornton  was  an  ideal  housekeeper, 
and  no  one  ever  left  their  house  dissatis- 
fied with  any  of  its  arrangements.  Mr. 
Thornton  had  a  laige  acquaintance  among 
th*»  Bucks  couiity  farmers,  and  the  Gen- 
(24) 


eral  riUc  was  n  favoriic  slnpiiiim  i>lace 
for  fanners  on  thoir  way  to  and  from 
the  city. 

The  next    on  the   list    is  a  ilniil.lc   liuiM- 
iiitf  occupied   liy   Kalph  Greenhalgh  as  a 
dry    goods    and    tirorery    stove.      It    stood 
some   distance  bacli   from    the    pavement 
ou  nn  elevation  of  several  feet  above  the 
street,   and   hud   a   porch   in   front.    This 
bnildinK  hnd  been  previonsly  occnpied  as 
a   ladies'  shoe  store  by  a   Mr.   McVanjch. 
Then     follows     the     residence     of     John 
Korer.     Mr.  Rorer  was  an  undertaker  ami 
cabinetmaker,  well  up  in  years,  and  one 
of    the   most   congenial   old   pentlemen    in 
(he    borough.     ,Vn    old    resident,    he    was 
respected   by   everybody  who  knew   him. 
He  is  well   rei)rosented   by   his  danjrhter. 
Miss  Susan   Rorer,   who  a   long  period 
W!is   engajxed    in    teacliiiiLr    in    our    i)ublic 
schools.     Another  dauirliler  was  the  wife 
of    Nathan    F.    Caniiiion.    who,    if   justice 
was   done   him.    \\ould    be    known    as    the 
father   of    our    present    system    of    street 
railroads,    and    who   in   the    face   of   pei'- 
sistent   opposition,   succeeded   in  carryiug 
to   completion    the   Frankl'ord    and    Fifth 
nnd    Sixth    streets    horse    car    road.     Ad- 
joining Mr.   Rorer's  was   a  frame  house 
occupied  by  Mrs.   Templeman.     She   was 
well  advanced  in  years  and  carried  on  a 
trimming   and   dry   goods  store.     Full    of 
the    milk    of    human     kindness,     always 
pleasant    and    obliging,    many    a    dollar 
riiuml  its  way  to  her  store  because  people 
liki'd  to  deal   with  her.     She  was  a  dear 
old  body,  such  as  are  somewhat  scarce  in 
these    strenuous    times.    Mr.    Rorer    and 
Mrs.   Templeman   were   members   of   the 
Rnptist  church.    Three  stone  houses  came 
next.    The  one  next  to  Mrs.  Templeman's 
was  occupied  by  a  Mr.  Hall,  who  was  the 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  l.S4(>,  and 
was    sttcceeded   liy   Mr.   ,Tohn    Smith.     In 
(25) 


the  next  one  resided  Dr.  Robert  Burns, 
then  a  young  practitioner.  Dr.  Burns  had 
been  a  student  for  two  years  of  Glasgow 
University  of  Scotland,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1830.  He  soon  after  took 
charge  of  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  Picker- 
ing in  Frankford.  In  1838  Dr.  Burns  en- 
tered the  University  of  Pennsylvania  for 
his  last  year's  course  of  medical  training. 
He  graduated  in  1839  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine.  About  1843  he  built 
the  three-story  building  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  street  and  removed  there.  He 
continued  to  reside  there  until  he  died  in 
1883.  He  was  for  many  years  surgeon  of 
the  Arsenal  at  Bridesburg,  and  as  such, 
ranked  as  a  Captain  in  the  Army.  When 
visiting  as  a  physician  at  the  Arsenal^ 
he  was  required  to  wear  his  uniform  _ 
His  death  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  com- 
munity and  much  more  so  to  the  profes- 
sion in  which  he  occupied  a  high  position. 
On  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and 
Pine  streets  was  an  old-fashioned  stone 
house  (recently  pulled  own  for  improve- 
ments) occupied  by  Isaiah  Worrell  as  a 
grocery  store.  Mr.  Worrell  had  lived 
there  for  a  long  time  and  while  others 
worried  about  the  changes  going  on  he 
pursued  the  even  tenor  of  his  way  with- 
out let  or  hindrance.  He  was  an  old 
man,  content  with  what  the  good  Lord 
sent  him,  and  died  respected  and  honored 
by  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him. 
Like  many  others  of  those  days,  what 
was  good  enough  for  bis  forefathers,  he 
thought,  was  good  enough  for  himself, 
and  anything  in  the  way  of  improvements 
were  inovation,  and  therefore  looked 
on  with  suspicion. 

We   have   now   reached   Church   street 

on  the  east  and  Pine  street  on  the  west 

side   of   Main    street.    The   question   was 

often    asked    why    the    different    names? 

[26] 


Profcssoi-  Worcostor  WDirell  has  iii- 
fiinnod  iiu'  that  tlio  name  Pino  street  w  ns 
aiMiuired  fnun  the  pine  grove  or  orchani, 
as  it  was  ealU'd,  on  Dr.  Pickering's  phice. 
Since  consolidation  tiie  name  has  I)een 
clianged  to  C'linrch  street  to  conform  to 
(he  east  end  of  that  street.  Church  .street 
east  \v;is  an  old  road  running  out  to 
Tacony  road  and  was  the  only  .street  or 
road  between  that  and  Bridge  street  thai 
ran  to  Tacony  road. 

EAST  CHFItCII  STREET. 

East  Church  street  was  iMrtially  built 

up  on  the  south  side  to  Paul  street.    The 
north  .side  being  occupied  by  the  Presl»y- 
terian  burying  ground.    The  houses  were 
small    and    principally    frame.    East    of 
Paul  street  there  were  some  frame  houses 
on  the  north  side  to  Spring  street.    Or- 
clihrd   street   was  not   cut   through   north 
of    Church    street.     Later   on   Mr.    Wnm- 
rath  built  the  row  of  small  brick  build- 
ings on  the  south  side  between  Paul  and 
Orchard     streets.     Orchard     street     was 
opened  from  Church  street  south  to  Tac- 
on.v   road.    The   l)uilding   and   ground   on 
the    southwest    corner    of    Orchard    and 
Church   streets  was   occupied   by   Robert 
Shaw.    It    was   noted    for    the   beautiful 
flower  garden  and  fruit  trees  surrounding 
it.    Next  was  the  home  of  Wm.  McCor- 
mack,   better  known   as   "P.illy"   McCor- 
niack,    who    was    and    had    been    for    a 
long  time  high  constable  of  the  township, 
and  who  was  a  terror  to  the  boys,  but 
with  all,  a  pood  congenial  soul  that  would 
not  harm   anyone.    Ilis   sister,   Margaret 
McCormack,    lived    next    door,    and    will 
be   pleasantly  remebered  by   many.    The 
next    and    last    house    on    Church    street 
south  of  Tan  lane  was  the  home  of  Lewis 

[27] 


Vanhorn,  Mr.  Vanhorn  was  a  blacksmith 
and  his  shop  was  opposite  to  his  house. 
Dr.  Eckwurzel  states  that  the  old  house 
now  standing  on  Tan  Lane  was  originally 
a  Swedish  house.  He  formed  this  opinion 
after  examining  its  construction.  It  is 
evidently  one  of  the  log  houses  erected 
by  the  Swedes  at  certain  distances  one 
mile  inland  from  the  Delaware  River, 
from  Weccawe  on  the  South  to  Bristol  on 
the  North,  to  mark  the  boundary  of  their 
grant  of  land,  which  preceeded  that  of 
William  Penn.  One  of  these  log  houses 
stands  in  Torresdale,  opposite  the  con- 
vent lane,  and  one  in  Andalusia. 

Of  the  frame  houses  which  stood  on  the 
north  side  one  was  occupied  by  Benja- 
min Isborn  who  was  an  old  and  well- 
known  resident,  and  at  one  time  land- 
lord and  owner  of  the  Cross  Keys  Tavern 
on  Main  street.  Also  one  occupied  by 
Mr.  Cherrie  Borie,  another  old  and  re- 
spected  resident. 

Mr.  Isborn  was  the  father  of  a  promi- 
nent writer  for  tlie  papers  and  maga- 
zines of  those  days.  Her  nome  de  plume 
was  Isabel  Attlewood.  She  later  on  mar- 
ried Dr.  Reading,  of  Somertown,  above 
Bustleton.  From  Orchard  street  there 
were  no  houses  on  either  side  of  Church 
street  to  Tacuny  street,  except  those 
just  mentioned.  Paul  street  was  opened 
from  Tacony  street  to  Main  street  as  at 
present.  Pine  stieet  was  opened  from 
Main  to  Adams  road,  and  there  were  no 
houses  or  buildings  on  either  side  except 
the  Baptist  church  and  the  German 
Lutheran  at  the  junction  of  Pine  and 
Adams  streets.  The  Baptist  church  stood 
on  Baptist  Hill,  where  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic school  now  stands,  commanding  a 
wide  view  to  the  west  and  south.  lu 
the  fall  of  1844  on  one  night  the  writer 
stood  on  that  hill  and  watched  the  burn- 
(28) 


iii.i,'  (if  St.  Micliaol's  and  St.  Auirnstine's 
churches,  one  at  SccdikI  ami  .IcffcrsDii 
streets  the  other  on  Fourth  street  below 
Vine.  (The  light  was  so  hriuht  that  wo 
could  read  the  fine  itriiit  of  the  papers 
with  ease.)  We      watched  the  flames 

shooting    high    into    the    air. 

The  small  Lutheran  church  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  hill  was  built  as  an  ofl-shoot 
from  the  Presbyterian  church,  when  the 
preaching  was  changed  from  German  to 
English.  It  was  a*'terwards  altered  into 
two  dwelling  hou.ses  which  are  still 
standing. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  Peter 
Butkius  opened  the  tirst  (luarry  on  the 
south  side  of  Pine  street,  dose  to  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  from  which  many 
thousands  of  perches  of  Imilding  stone 
were  quarried.  Afterwards,  be  opened 
a  quarry  on  the  north  side.  These  quar- 
ries were  noted  for  the  fine  quality  of 
the  stone,  and  many  contracts  stipulated 
for  the  Frankford  blue  stone.  After 
the  death  of  Mr.  Buckius,  the  quarries 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Emanuel  Peters 
will)  carried  the  work  on  for  some  time 
and  at  his  death  his  sun  .Jacob  purchased 
it  and  had  the  upper  quarry  filled  up 
and  the  present  streets  opened  and 
houses  built  on  the  site. 

Leiper  street  was  opened  as  far  north 

as  Sellers   street,   and  on    tlif   west  side, 

north  of  Pine  street,  were  several  frame 

houses.    Edward  street  was  opened  from 

Pine  to  Adamx  street  but  there  were  no 

buildings    on    it.    The    Roman    Catholic 

Church  was  not  built.     As  the  Pickering 

property   has   several   times   been   spoken 

of  in  these  papers,  I  will  devote  a  short 

time    in   giving   its    history    as    far   as    I 

have  knowledge  of  it.    Doctor  Pickering 

was  for  many  years  a  practitioner  in  the 

boroughandoneof  the  prominent  persons 

29 


in  the  town.  He  owned  and  occupied  the 
property  for  many  years  until  his  death, 
which  took  place  in  the  late  30's.  After 
his  death,  about  1840  the  place  was 
leased  to  a  certain  Doctor  LaRoche,  a 
Frenchman  and  an  atter  stranger  to 
Frankford.  There  was  nothing  known 
about  him  previous  to  his  coming  to 
Frankford,  and  as  so  often  occurs  in 
small  towns,  people  Avere  busy  surmis- 
ing, and  as  he  seemed  to  have  plenty  of 
money,  all  sorts  of  things  were  surmised. 
His  family  consisted  of  himself,  wife  and 
one  or  two  small  children,  a  nurse  and 
servant.  They  lived  a  secluded  life 
making  no  acquaintances,  and  going  A-ery 
little  among  the  people.  Tlie  wu-iter 
liad  probably  the  best  opportunity  of 
knowing  them,  having  had  business  re- 
lations with  the  Doctor.  He  was  a  per- 
fect gentleman,  very  polite  and  pleasant 
in  his  intercourse,  and  his  family  always 
appeared  to  be  very  happy  and  contend- 
ed in  their  piney  retreat. 

After  his  removal  the  place  was  va- 
cant for  a  considerable  lime  until  Mr. 
Samuel  Brooks  purchased  it  and  moved 
there.  On  the  west  side  of  Main  street, 
corner  of  Pine,  stood  a  frame  house  oc- 
cupied by  an  old  gentleman,  Mr.  Tryon, 
who  kept  a  china  and  queensware  store. 
Before  this  the  house  was  occupied  as  a 
residence  by  Matthias  Baldwin.  Matthias 
Baldwin's  jewelrj'  and  watch-making 
shop  was  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Orthodox  streets  in  Fulton's  house. 
He  afterwards  moved  into  the  stone 
building  next  to  Dr.  Burns.  Dr.  J,  F. 
Lamb  afterwards  purchased  the  property 
and  lived  in  it  until  he  built  the  house 
next  to  it  which  is  now  such  a  disgrace 
to  the  borough  and  a  monument  to  spite. 
Doctor  Lamb  was  a  Virginian  and  built 
up  a  lucrative  practice.  He  was  a  true 
(30) 


Southornor    niid    ns    all    his    oonnootions 
wore  ill  tlio  South,  his  fceliiijis  wore  liiei'c 
alsi).     l?ut  lio  iii'ver  forj^ot  (hat  ho  was  a 
gontloiiian   and   nlways  aoted  as  such   in 
his  iiitorcotirsc  with  those  with  whom  he 
lived.    To  the  north  of  his  property  were 
several  old  frame  luiildinfis  that  had  seen 
their   best    days.      Dr.    Lamb    purchased 
them  and  erected  the  present  stone  resi- 
dence owned   and  occupied   for  eo  many 
years  by  the  Hon.  Richardson  L.  Wright. 
The   house   north   of    Mr.  Wright's   was 
built  by  Wm.  Cxibson    and  used    as  a  dry 
goods  store       Mr.  Gibson  resided  a  long 
time  in  Frankford  and    was  an   elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church.     His  daughters 
the  Misses  Annie,  I^Iary,  and  Knuna  Gib- 
son  died   recently.     The   house    is   now 
used   as  a    Bakery.      The  building  next 
was    a    frame    one    that    stood    with    the 
frable  end  to  the  street  and  was  occupied 
liv  Wm.  Dewhurst  previous  to  his  goins 
into  the  grocery  business.  Mrs.  Dewhurst 
kept    a    caudy     and     toy    store     which 
was    noted    for    her    Evertou    Taffy,    an 
English  candy  that  sli(>  made,  and  among 
the  children  of  those  days  was  known  as 
the    talTy    woman         After    these    frame 
buildings   came    the   property   of  Thomas 
Sidoliotliam.        'i'licre      was      one      brick 
huildiug  three  stories  in  heighl  but  later 
on   he   built   anotlier  and   adiled   a   fourth 
story   fur  a   lodge  room,   which  was  well 
patronized   Jis    there    was    no   oilier   room 
suitable   for  such   meetings  to  be  had   in 
the    town.     Mr.    Sidehotham    was   an   old 
resident,  and  built  a  large  mill  on  the  lot 
back  of  tlio  houses  where  lie  carried  on 
the   nianuf.icturing   of   tapes   and   braids 
until    his    death,    which    took    place    May 
4th.  1SS8.    Mr.  Sidebotham  came  to  this 
country  when  he  was  young  and  declareil 
his   intentions   of   becoming   a   citizen   in 
1832.    He   was   made   a   citizen   iu   1S37. 

(31) 


He  was  91  years  of  age  when  he  died. 

The    next    in    order    was    the    grocery 
store  kept  by  Charles  Bolton.    The  prop- 
erty belonged  to  Robert  Huckle.    These 
houses   are   now   standing   just    as   they 
\\ere  seventy  years  and  more  ago.   The 
last  of  the  three  houses  was  occupied  by 
Mrs.    Latch,    who   kept   a   trimming   and 
variety     store     in     the     early     thirties. 
She  was  a  widow  and  will  be  remember- 
ed by  many  now  living.    The  next  honse 
now     the     residence     of     Dr.    William 
Guernsey      was     occupied    by    Samuel 
Huckle.    He   carried   on   the  business   of 
jewelry    and    watch    making    for    a    long 
time.    Mr.  Huckle  was  a  prominent  man 
in    the    community,    a      member      of    the 
]Methodist  Church,  a  good  Christian  and 
a    respected    and    honored    citizen.       His 
brother    Robert    was    a    veteran    of    the 
war    of    1812.       There    were    two    other 
properties    adjoining,    one   of   which   was 
occupied  by   Mrs.    Sommers,   the   mother 
of    the    late    Thomas    W.    Sommers   who 
was  for  a  long  time  in  command  of  the 
police  force  of  the  23d  ward.    This  house 
was   owned   by  Dr.   Lamb     and    be    re- 
sided here   until  he  purchased  the   prop, 
erty  on   the  north-west  corner  of   Main 
and  Pine  streets.     The   Frankford    Real 
Estate  Trust  Co.  occupies  the  site. 

Next  came  two  two-and-a-half  story 
stone,  rough  cast  houses,  standing  back 
from  the  street  These  houses  were 
owned  by  Joseph  VanKirk  who  manu- 
factured gas  fixtures.  One  was  rented  to 
Levi  Foulkrod,  the  father  of  our  honor- 
able President  and  the  member  of  Con- 
gress from  this  Fifth  Congressional 
District.  Mr.  VanKirk  occupied  the 
other  one.  The  house  was  afterwards 
made  into  one  dwelling,  and  occupied 
by  Mr.  VanKirk  until  his  death.  He 
was    drowned    at    Atlantic    City.        Mr. 

[32] 


Lewis  Troutman  then  occupied  the  house 
until  il  was  lorn  down  to  erect  the  Second 
National  Rank.  The  house  had  a  large 
beautiful  garden  on  the  north  side. 

After  these  caiiu-  tlio  |in>pt'rty  on  tlio  S. 
W.  curncr  nf  .Miiin  and  I'liily  strei-ts, 
owned  and  oofupied  Ity  Doctor  Henry 
Taylor.  He  was  from  England  and 
was  a  pli\si<ian  of  some  note  and  built 
up  a  large  practice.  He  was  respected 
and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him. 
A  man  of  geiual  miinl  .ind  with  a  heart 
full  of  love  for  his  fellow  men.  He  drew 
around  himself  a  host  of  warm  friends 
which  increased  in  nundier  mail  he  died, 
his  death  occurring  in  May,  1S4S.  He 
left  a  widow,  three  daughters  and  two 
sons,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away  ex- 
cept the  youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  Briggs. 
Dr.  Taylor  was  a  member  of  the  Bible 
Christian  Chureh,  better  known  in  those 
days  as  Alistainers.  This  brings  us  to 
Unity  street  which  was  opened  as  far  as 
what  is  now  Wingohocking  street  or 
around  the  bend,  as  it  was  called.  The 
cross  streets  were  not  nnich  more  than 
ordinary  roads  as  were  all  the  back 
streets,  and  in  the  winter  were 
ordinary  roads  as  were  all  back  streets 
nt  that  time,  and  in  the  winter  were 
often  (like  Jordan)  hard  roads  to  travel. 
There  was  not  one  street  in  the  Borough 
that  was  paved.  Franklin  street  from 
Church  or  Pine  streets  to  Unity  street 
was  merely  a  lane  with  here  ami  there 
a  sm.'ill  frame  house  on  the  east  side. 
Between  Unity  and  Sellers  street  several 
houses  stood.  Penn  street  was  opened 
from  Unity  to  Sellers  street  but  very 
sparcely  built  up. 

The  only  houses  of  any  note,  were  the 
residences  of  George  I.  Hoff  on  the  west 
side  midway  between  lenity  and  Selfpr 
streets  and  that  of  Charles  Denis,  nearly 

[33] 


opposite.  Mr.  Hoff  carried  on  the  mauu- 
facturing  of  starch  in  a  building  on  what 
is  now  Farina  street,  at  that  time  merely 
an  outlet  for  the  factory.  'Sir.  Deals' 
house  was  a  fine  building  for  that  period. 
Mr.  Deals  is  so  well  and  favorably 
known  to  the  present  generation  that  he 
needs  no  particular  mention  here,  but  I 
would  be  remiss  if  I  did  not  speak  of 
him  as  I  knew  him  for  so  many  years. 
As  a  stone  mason  he  had  no  superior 
The  many  evidences  of  his  good,  honest 
work  are  to  be  met  with  all  over  this  part 
of  the  county,  and  will  stand  for  many 
years  as  samples  of  an  honest  man's 
handywork.  He  lived  to  the  good  old 
age  of  87  years  and  went  to  rest  January 
1,  1898.  No  man  had  more  friends, 
none  so  few  enemies.  During  the  last 
years  of  his  life  nothing  gave  him  so 
much  pleasure  as  to  talk  with  some  one 
that  remembered  back  as  far  as  he  did. 
He  was  a  good  citizen,  a  good  father  and 
husband  and  a  good  friend.  Nothing  less 
than  that  could  be  said  of  his  helpmate, 
and  they  have  gone  to  join  that  "in- 
numerable host,"  to  reap  the  reward  of 
well-spent  lives. 

Leiper  street  was  opened  from  Church 
to  Sellers  street  and  between  Unity  and 
Sellers  street  there  were  quite  a  number 
of  houses.  Elizabeth  street  was  not 
opened.  Sellers  street  extended  to  the 
bend  as  it  was  called,  but  about  1840 
there  M-ere  several  houses  built  on  what 
was  called  Sellers  street  continued. 

We  now  return  to  the  east  side  of 
Main  street  and  Church  street.  On  the 
northeast  corner  stands  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church.  The  present  building  was 
erected  in  1859.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  in  June  of  that  year.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  fii-st  building  was  laid  May 
the  fourth,  1770,  and  with  some  alter- 
(34) 


atious,  remained  stnndiii;;  until  1S,7.I. 
With  the  exception  of  tlie  Friends' 
Meeting;  House,  at  tiie  eorner  of  Unity 
and  Wain  streets,  it  represents  the 
oldest  place  of  worship  in  Frankford. 
Of  the  first  church  building  I  need 
say  nothing,  but  I  have  copied 
the  bill  of  expenses  in  buildiufj  it.  to 
show  the  difTerenie  between  those  days 
and  tiie  present  time.  I  (piote  from  Dr. 
Murjiliy's  liisliii-y  of  the  eliunh.  and  ;^ivc 

ii  iis  a  curiosity: 

£      s.    d. 

The  stone,  lime,  sand,  hair 
and   haulin>r    1^:]      2    10 

Boards,  pl.-niks,  shingles  and 
other  lumber H»9      (5      '.i 

Paints,  oil,  ^'Iass  and  paint- 
ing     i'T    IG      8 

Mason    work   and    plasterinj;.   til    1(5      0 

Carpenter  and  cabinet  work..   07    Iti      9 

Blacksmith  work  and  other 
incidentals    -S    17      ii 


Whole  cost  when  finished  £401    ISs  lid 
Or   about   two   thousand   four  hundred 

dollars   ($24(XH. 

Of  the  Presbyterian  burying  ground, 
there  is  much  of  interest.  In  it  repose  the 
remains  of  many  of  the  earliest  inhabi- 
tants of  Frankford.  In  the  southwest 
corner,  back  of  the  cliurch,  lie  the  re- 
mains of  Col.  James  Burns,  a  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812.  Col.  Burns,  during  nn 
engagement,  had  his  horse  shot  from  un- 
der him..  A  young  boy,  who  was  also 
in  the  battle,  saw  the  situation,  and  gave 
his  horse  to  the  Colonel,  and  after  the 
war  closed  Colonel  Burns  brought  the 
boy  home  with  him,  and  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  was  a  warm  friend  of  both  boy 
and  man.  That  boy  was  Peter  Coli)augh, 
whom,  perhaps,  some  of  you  have  known, 
and  his  children  and  grand-children  are 
yet  living  among  us.  Colonel  Burns 
came  to  Frankford  previous  to  the  war  of 
(35  ^ 


1812,  and  purchased  the  properly  on 
Main  street,  below  Smith's  lane,  now  Or- 
thodox street.  He  was  a  genial  man  and 
made  many  friends  in  Frankford.  He 
died  in  March,  I831. 

In  the  Presbyterian  burying  grounds 
also  lie  the  remains  of  Dr.  Alexander 
Baron,  Jr.,  brother  of  Commodore  Baron 
of  some  note  in  the  same  war.  He  died 
August  31,  1821.  Also  of  Jonathan 
Witherspoon,  brother  of  the  celebrated 
Presbyterian  minister  of  the  same  name. 
Besides  these,  there  repose  the  remaiue 
of  the  Carpenter  family,  one  of  the  old- 
est and  most  prominent  families  of  Phil- 
adelphia. The  Worrell  family,  another 
family  of  note  for  many  years  back.  A 
large  family,  and  some  of  the  descendants 
are  still  living  among  us— Castors, 
Schochs,  Gibsons,  and  many  others  who 
in  the  earlier  years  of  Frankford  were 
prominent  actors  in  the  home  life  of  the 
Borough.  Some  of  the  tomb  stones  are 
so  old  that  time  and  weather  have 
obliterated  the  lettering,  and  it  is  im- 
possible  to   decipher  them. 

In  September,  1844,  the  largest  fun- 
eral that  was  ever  seen  in  this  Borough 
took  place  when  the  remains  of  Mr. 
George  Castor,  long  a  member  and  trus- 
tee of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  were 
buried.  George  Castor  was  a  descen- 
dant of  Frederic  Castor,  and  a  son  of 
George  Castor,  Sr.,  both  of  whom  were 
among  the  founders  of  the  old  church. 
Tlieie  were  one  hundred  and  four  car- 
riages, and  it  was  a  notable  event. 

George  and  Jesse  Y.  Ca.stor  lived  on 
the  Tacouy  road,  above  the  arsenal  on 
the  banks  of  the  Delaware  river,  now 
\Yissinoming.  There  was  no  place  around 
Philadelphia  more  beautiful  and  inviting 
at  that  time  than  the  residences  along 
the    river   bank.    Among   others    residing 


tlicre  were  the  Lnnlners,  Greens,  Mor- 
rises and  Lukeiis.  The  Castor  graves 
in  the  old  burying  grouml  prove  the  fam- 
ily to  have  been  a  larKe  one,  and  their 
lives  showed  them  to  have  been  an  in- 
fluential family,  ami  no  higher  encomicum 
i-nuid  be  paid  tliem  than  the  unusually 
lar>:e  attendance  at  the  funeral  of  Mr. 
George  Castor.  Up  to  1843  the  old  De- 
catur fire  engine  stood  in  a  small  frame 
building  where  the  manse  now  .stands. 
At  that  time  it  was  removed  to  a  frame 
building,  on  Cluiri'h  street,  where  the 
present  brick  building  now  stands,  and 
in  1.S44  the  present  manse  was  built. 
Itev.  William  D.  Howard  was  pastor  of 
the  church  from  IS-'JS  to  1849,  and  no 
minister  worked  harder  for  the  spiritual 
improvement  of  the  Borough.  He  was 
beloved  by  his  people,  and  it  was  with 
great  regret  and  sorrow  that  they  saw 
him  leave  them.  There  are  still  a  few 
remaining  who  cherish  his  memory  with 
a  lasting  love.  He  removed  to  Pitts- 
burg to  take  charge  of  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  of  that  city,  and  was 
soon  after  made  a  Docter  of  Divinity. 
He  resided  for  some  time  in  the  frame 
house  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Pine 
and  Main  streets.  In  the  Sixties  there 
was  a  strong  effort  made  to  open  a  street 
through  the  burying  grounds  from  Church 
to  Unity  streets,  but  public  sentiment 
was  so  strongly  opposed  to  desecrating 
the  grounds,  that  the  matter  was  drop- 
ped, and  shortly  after  a  charter  was  se- 
cured to  incorporate  it  into  a  cemetery. 
I  will  here  insert  a  quaint  story  of  the 
old  church: 

In  the  early  Forties  some  of  the  mem- 
b<Ts  of  the  church  conceived  the  idra 
of  adding  a  violin  cello  to  the  choir,  and 
the  services  of  John  Sheard  were  en- 
gaged.   After   the   service   was  over  one 

(37) 


of  the  old  members  (a  -woman)  on  return- 
ing home  said  to  the  family:  "Well,  they 
have  got  the  devil  in  the  church  at  last." 
Next  above  the  church  property  were 
two  stone  houses,  where  now  stands  the 
handsome  residence  of  Dr.  E.  Bruce 
Burns.  These  houses  were  occupied  by 
Charles  and  Edward  Dyer,  and  their  sis- 
ter, Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stout.  They 
lived  there  for  many  years,  and  were 
both  buried  from  the  old  home.  Edward 
Dyer  carried  on  the  saddlery  bus- 
iness, and  was  the  only  saddler  in 
the  borough.  They  were  bachelors,  and 
as  genial,  pleasant  company  as  could  be 
found.  The  shop  was  a  noted  place  for 
old  stagers  to  gather  in,  and  many  an 
hour  of  fun  and  humor  were  spent  there 
when  the  old  stagers  got  together.  But 
they  have  all  passed  in  their  checks,  and 
the  places  that  knew  them  know  them 
no  more  forever.     Rest  in  peace. 

Next  in  order  comes  a  two-story  stone 
house  with  the  gable  end  to  the  street. 
This  building  was  occupied  by  Isaac 
Preston,  who  kept  a  dry  goods  store  for 
quite  a  while.  Isaac  Preston  was  a 
Friend.  The  next  are  two  stone  build- 
ings, evidently  of  leng  standing.  The 
first  was  occupied  by  Isaac  English,  who 
had  a  pottery  in  the  rear  of  the  house 
wliere  he  carried  on  the  business  \mtil 
death,  when  his  two  sons,  Isaac  and 
Samuel,  continued  it  until  their  deaths. 
The  old  pottery  is  still  standing,  though 
the  house  has  given  way  to  improve- 
ments. The  other  building  (still  stand- 
ing) belonged  to  Mrs.  Martha  Dungan, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Catharine  \Yor- 
rell,  and  the  sister-in-law  of  Bella  Bad- 
ger, a  man  prominent  in  public  affairs 
of  Philadelphia  in  his  day.  Mrs.  Dun- 
gan was  the  first  Sabbath  school  teach- 
er in  Frankford,  having  assisted  in  or- 
(38) 


gnnizing  a  Sabbath  school  in  llio  Pres- 
byterian Chnroh  in  April,  1815.  She  was 
matron  of  the  Ori)hau  Asylum  at  Ei>,'li- 
toenth  and  flurry  street^<.  when  it  was 
bunied  iliiwii.  .I.uiiiaiy  '24,  IS'Jl.',  aiiil 
twenty-throe  oridians  perished  iu  the 
tlames.  Mrs.  Duiignu  was  a  lovely  wo- 
man respected  and  loved  for  her  many 
good  qualities. 

The  next  was  a  frame  buildinp  occupied 
by  John  Rose,  who  was  a  chief  magis- 
trate of  the  borough. 

On  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and 
Meeting  House  lane,  now  Tnity  street, 
was  a  two-story  stone  pebble-dashed 
building,  that  would  attract  more  than 
usual  attention.  It  stood  back  from  both 
streets  and  fronting  on  Meeetiug  House 
lane  was  surrounded  by  trees.  The 
property  ran  back  to  Paul  street.  There 
was  a  wide  porch  on  Unity  street,  and 
altogether  it  was  a  pleasant  spot.  Isaac 
Whitelock  resided  there  and  owned  the 
property.  lie  was  a  Friend,  and  one 
of  the  solid  men  of  Frankford,  and  was 
much  respected.  I  do  not  recall  the  date 
of  his  death,  although  I  was  at  the  fun- 
eral. He  was  buried  in  the  Friends' 
grounds,  at  the  corner  of  Unity  and 
^Y;!ln  streets.  Previous  to  Mr.  Whitelock 
iu  the  early  twenties  the  property  was 
occupied  by  Joseph  Churman  and  fam- 
ily. They  were  Friends,  and  remained 
in  Frankford  until  after  the  separation 
of  the  Society  in  18li7  and  28. 

I  find  I  have  omitted  the  two  stone 
buildings  between  the  Kose  and  White- 
lock  buildings.  These  buildings  are  still 
standing,  but  the  upper  one  has  had  a 
two-story  addition  to  the  [front.  The 
lower  one  was  built  in  the  Eighteenth 
Century  by  Robert  Harper,  a  tanner.  It 
was  occupied  by  a  Mr.  Bennett  or  Ben- 
ezette,  who  was  a  watchmaker,  and  car- 

(39) 


ried  on  the  business  for  some  time  iu 
the  thirties.  After  he  removed  it  was 
occupied  by  David  Murdock,  and  Mrs. 
Murdock  kept  a  trimming  and  dry  goods 
store  until  about  1844,  when  Levi  P. 
Coates  purchased  the  property  and  oc- 
cupied it  until  his  death,  September, 
1875.  Mrs.  Coates  continued  the  dry 
goods  business  for  many  years.  Her 
death   took    place    February    18,    1892. 

Mr.  Murdock  was  a  Scotchman;  a  man 
of  stern  integrity,  firm  in  the  faith  of  his 
church,  and  straightforward  iu  his  busi- 
ness life.  He  and  his  good  wife  died 
close  together.  Mrs.  Murdock,  April  10, 
1888,  and  Mr.  Murdock  eight  days  after, 
April  18,  of  the  same  year.  Levi  P. 
Coates  was  well  known  in  the  Borough 
as  a  man  of  genial  disposition.  He  was 
for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington Fire  Company,  and  always  _took 
a  deep  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  com- 
munity. In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Coates 
was  an  apprentice  to  Mr.  Kinsey  and 
learned  the  tanning  business.  After 
becoming  of  age  he  took  Mr.  Kinsey's 
business  which  he  carried  on  until  he 
retired. 

Perhaps  there  are  some  who  will  re- 
member noticing  a  bulk  window  attach- 
ed to  the  south  front  of  the  house.  That 
was  the  first  bulk  window  put  up  in 
Frankford.  In  the  centre  of  it  was  a  cir- 
cle, in  which  Mr.  Bennett  or  Benezette, 
the  clockmaker,  had  a  large  clock  placed 
for  the  benefit  of  passers-by.  The  upper 
one  of  the  stone  buildings,  which  is  still 
standing,  but  has  been  built  out  to  the 
street  line,  I  have  not  been  able  to  find 
out  much  about  in  the  earlier  days.  I 
have  been  told  that  the  Rev.  William  D. 
Howard  lived  there  when  he  came  to 
Frankford.  1838.  He  afterwards  moved 
to  the  frame  house  on  the  northeast  cor- 

(40) 


uor  of  Pine  and  Maine  streets,  until  the 
manse  was   built   in   1.H4-1. 

Our  paper  has  brought  us  to  Quaker 
lane  or  Unity  street.  I  feel  I  must 
leavo  further  cousidoration  of  old  (or 
new)  Main  street  for  a  short  time,  and 
speak  of  Unity  street  as  a  factor  in  the 
history  of  tho  Borough,  sixty-five  years 
and  beyi  111(1   a.iro. 

Frankford  previous  to  iS<JO  was  a  small 
country  town  of  some  considerable  note 
as  a  resort  for  summer  boarders.  If  we 
can  for  a  short  time  withdraw  our  minds 
from  Frankford,  as  it  is.  and  iix  tluin  on 
the  early  town  with  all  its  attractions, 
its  lovely  streams,  the  siuTounding  for- 
ests of  which  there  yet  remain  a  few 
groves,  to  remind  us  of  what  has  been; 
the  large  farms  with  their  held  of  waviug 
grain,  and  the  quiet,  restful  scenes  of  that 
period,  we  may  perhaps  imagine  some 
of  the  atti'actions  that  drew  so  many 
persons  from  their  city  homes  to  spend 
the  summer  days  in  this  cool,  shady  re- 
treat. But  not  only  in  summer  did  they 
come.  In  winter  they  came  from  Canada 
and  other  northern  i)arts  to  escape  their 
severe  weather.  In  1800  the  Legislature 
passed  an  act  making  the  town  of  Frank- 
ford a  borough,  to  be  goverued  by  two 
chief  burgesses,  five  assistants,  a  high 
constable,  a  secretary,  treasurer  and  three 
regulators  as  follows: 

An  act  of  Legislature  dated  March  7, 
1800: 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Peimsylvania,  in  General  Assembly 
met,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority of  the  same,  that  the  town  of 
Frankford,  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
shall  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  erected 
into  a  borough,  which  shall  be  called  the 
Borough  of  Frankford,  and  shall  be  com- 

(41) 


prised   within    the   following   boundaries, 

viz.:  Beginning  at  a  corner  by  the  side 
of    Frankford    Creek,    between    land    of 

Rudolph  Neff,  and  land  now  or  late  of 
Henry  Rorer,  and  extending  thence  down 
Frankford  Creek  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
five  perches  or  thereabouts,  to  the  mouth 
of  Tacony  Creek;  Dark  Run,  thence  up 
Tacony  Creek  on  its  several  courses  about 
six  hundred  and  teli  perches,  to  a  corner 
of  Jacob  Smith's  land;  thence  by  land  of 
the  said  Jacob  Smith,  Robert  Smith  and 
others,  south  thirty-eight  degrees,  fifteen 
minutes  west,  four  hundred  and  nine 
perches  and  six-tenths  of  a  perch,  to  the 
place  of  beginning.  Tacony,  or  Ta-ko-na 
Creek,  was  what  is  now  known  as  Dark 
Run. 

May  15,  1800,  the  first  election  was 
held,  when  the  following  persons  were 
chosen  for  the  above  named  offices:  Isaac 
Worrell  and  Peter  Neff,  Chief  Burgess; 
Isaiah  Worrell,  Nathan  Harper,  Joshua 
Sullivan,  John  A.  Worrell  and  Joseph 
Bolton,  Assistants;  John  Fessmire,  High 
Constable.  The  Board  being  organized, 
the  following  appointments  were  made: 
Watson  Atkson,  Clerk;  Isaiah  Worrell, 
Alexander    Martin      and    Henry    Comly, 

Regulators.  From  the  knowledge  we 
have  of  the  town  of  Frankford  in  its 
earlier  days  it  is  evident  that  the  town 
proper  extended  from  Frankford  Creek  to 
Unity  street,  Adams  road.  Church  lane, 
and  Quaker  lane  being  the  only  roads  or 
lanes  leading  east  or  west  from  the  pike. 
That  the  population  at  that  time  was 
small  is  very  evident,  and  above  Unity 
street  extended  the  suburban  portion  of 
the  borough.  As  late  as  1840  the  census 
showed  the  population  to  be  only  2376, 
and  probably  as  late  as  1844  nine-tenths 
of  the  business  of  the  town  was  trans- 
acted below  Unity  street  and  at  least 
(42) 


2000  (if  tlio  population  rosidcd  soiitli  of 
it.  (H"  the  tou  ;jrooory  storos  in  the  lior- 
oiijili  einlit  were  bolow  lenity  street,  seven 
below  Cliiinh  lane,  of  the  six  taverns 
four  were  hejow  ("hunii  liiiie  and  within 
one  block  of  each  cllicr.  Tliree  dry  ^'oods 
stores,  the  okl  mill,  post  ollice,  lumber 
yard,  five  places  of  worship,  two  dye 
houses,  five  factories,  the  only  coal  yard, 
three  doctors,  one  drui;  store,  the  only 
china  store,  one  machine  works,  the  nnly 
undertaker  and  cabinetmaker  and  niie 
hardware  store  were  all  beluw  Unity 
street.  There  were  also  two  tinkers.  As 
there  were  no  gas,  water  i)ipes  or  sewers, 
there  were,  consequently,  no  plinubers. 
The  taverns  were  large,  commodius  build- 
ings, built  to  be  used  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  strangers.  The  population  after 
the  starting  of  manufactories  was  of  two 
classes,  viz.:  Floaters  and  stand-patters. 
The  floating  population  consisted  mostly 
of  foreigners,  who  came  here  to  work  in 
the  mills,  and  as  long  as  the  factories 
were  running,  so  long  they  remained,  and 
as  soon  as  the  factories  stopped,  like 
migratory  birds,  they  took  their  flight  to 
other  places  where  they  could  find  em- 
ployment. This  state  of  affairs  was  hard 
on  the  business  community,  for  bills  were 
frequently  left  unpaid.  The  stand-patters 
or  permanent  poulation,  were  those  whose 
forefathers  had  lived  here  before  them 
and  who  owned  and  occupied  their  prop- 
erty. These  were  the  people  who  were 
the  pillai's  of  the  Borough  and  of  whom 
their  descendants  can  well  be  pr<tnd  and 
theBorniigh  honor.  Of  the  eight  proprie- 
tors of  grocery  stores  below  Unity  seven 
were  from  England,  one  (Isaiah  Worrell) 
to  the  manor  born.  The  original  village 
of  Frankford  was  a  settlement  of 
Friends,  and  the  first  settler  was  Henry 
Waddy,  a  Friend,  who  in  1(>S0  leased  7oO 

(43) 


acres  of  -land  from  William  Peuu,  but 
four  years  later  the  lease  was  witli- 
arawn  and  lie  (Henry  Waddy)  purchased 
from  Governor  William  Penn  305  acres 
of  land,  called  Waddy's  Grange.  Parts 
of  said  Grange  is  now  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  a  number  of  the  members  of  this 
society.  We  will  n»w  return  to  old  Main 
street,  taking  Unity  street  for  our  start- 
ing point.  The  first-  house  built  on  east 
Unity  street  was  a  frame  house  on  the 
north  side  east  of  Paul  street.  This  was 
built  by  Merchant  Stearne,  June,  1843, 
nhere  he  lived  until  his  death,  about  1890. 
He  was  94  years  of  age.  Mr.  Stearne 
was  an  old  resident  and  well  known  and 
respected.  One  of  his  sons,  Alfred 
Stearne,  was  the  first  paper  carrier  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  He  started  from 
Third  and  Chestnut  streets  with  his 
papers  and  began  to  distribute  them  along 
the  road  until  he  reached  Prankford, 
where  he  supphed  almost  all  the  people 
of  the  borough.  He  left  home  very  early 
in  the  morning  in  all  kinds  of  weather  and 
walked  to  Third  and  Chestnut  streets, 
where  he  obtained  his  papers.  He  was 
only  10  years  of  age  when  he  began  to 
deliver  papers.  He  delivered  papers  55 
years.  He  is  now  living  and  enjoying 
the  fruits  of  his  strenuous  life. 

About  the  year  1844  Nathaniel  Brannin 
built  the  frame  house  now  standing  next 
to  the  Baptist  Church.  West  of  Main 
street  there  were  no  houses  of  note.  Mr. 
liorer  tells  me  Jesse  Walton  had  bis  tan- 
yard  on  the  south  side  in  the  neighbor- 
Jiood  of  what  is  now  Leiper  street.  There 
was  also  an  old  spring  house  that  stood 
on  the  south  side  west  of  Leiper  street 
and  had  been  there  many  years.  On  the 
southeast  corner  of  Leiper  and  Unity 
street  stood  Enoch  Roberts'  gingham  fac- 
tory, and  on  the       northwest  corner,     his 

(44) 


dwelling  house,  built  i'.i  the  '30s.  I'nity 
street  extended  from  W.iln  street  to  what 
is  now  WinuohtK'kiu^'  >itroet,  a  distance 
of  eight  blocks.  On  the  northwest  corner 
of  Unity  and  Main  stood  and  is  still 
standing  a  two-nnd-a-half-story  stone 
rough-cast  house  that  belonged  to  a 
friend,  Jesse  ^^  illianis.  It  stood  fi>r  a 
long  time  vacant  because  it  was  said  lo 
be  haunted,  a  murder  having  been  com- 
mitted in  it.  In  1840  Mrs.  Charles  EUice 
Uui)bs  moved  in  and  was  never  disturlted 
by  ;uiy  unranny  sights  or  sounds,  and  it 
has  been  occupied  ever  since.  Norlh  of 
this  house  were  a  number  of  frame  build- 
ings. The  first  one  was  occupied  by  Wil- 
liam Wilson,  another  by  Richard  Lackey; 
then  Henry  Brouse,  Mahlon  Murpliy,  two 
elderly  mnithMi  ladies,  the  Misses  Bryan, 
and  Mr.  Maybety  Wiiilman.  Of  these 
persons  ]Mrs.  Lackey  kept  a  millinery 
store,  Mr.  Brouse  was  a  cabinetmaker, 
Mr.  Murphy  was  a  painter,  and  Mrs. 
Murphy  and  a  daughter,  Naomi,  kept  a. 
private  school.  Mrs.  Whitman  was  a 
woman  of  great  will  power  and  energy, 
loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  her. 
She  was  a  remarkable  woman,  living  to 
be  within  three  or  four  days  of  her  one 
hundred  and  tirst  birthday,  and  was  more 
sprightly  than  many  persons  seventy 
years  of  age.  Up  to  the  time  of  her  death, 
wiiich  took  i)lace  April  8,  1888,  and  which 
was  hastened  by  a  fall,  she  could  move 
aboit  with  ease  and  often  took  short 
walks.  ;Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitujan  had  two 
diiughters,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Ball  and  Mrs. 
Slary  Wakeling,  of  whom  we  will  have 
more  to  say  later  on.  The  last  one  of 
these  houses  was  occupied  by  Mrs.  Pen- 
dlebery.  North  of  these  houses  lay  a 
vacant  lot  extending  back  to  Franklin 
street.  There  was  no  Episcopal  Church 
building,  but  a  small  congregation 
(45) 


met  in  a  one-story  frame  house  on  Frank- 
lin street,  directly  back  of  the     present 
church.    In  this  small     house     the     first 
Episcopal  Sunday  school  was  formed  in 
1832.    In  connection  with  this  church,  had 
I  time  and  abihty,  I  would  like  to  devote 
space  to  the  memory  of  a  family  to  whom 
the  borough  of  Fr^nkford  owes  a  debt  of 
gratitude,  viz.:  Mr.   William   Welsh  and 
his  gude  wife  and  daughter.  Miss  Mary 
Welsh;  but  I  could  not  do  them  justice 
and   will    leave   it   to   some    one    perhaps 
more   conversant    with    their    godly    lives 
among  us,  but  not  a  more  ardent  admirer 
of    them      than    the    writer.    From    this 
vacant  lot  northward  were  five  two-story 
brick    houses,    now    standing,    but      very 
much  changed.    Mrs.  Margaret  Swope  re- 
sided in  one  house.  Chas.  C.  Oram  bought 
this  house  in  184-1  and  altered  it  into  a 
store,    where    he    lived    until    his    death, 
August  8,  1898.    The  business  is  still  car- 
ried  on  by   the  family.    Next   were   two 
houses  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Sarah 
Harmer,  who  kept  a   candy   store  for   a 
number  of  years.    We  now  come  to  the 
corner  house   which  was  built  by   Asher 
Vauhorn   during   the   "20s.    Mr.   Vanhoru 
was  a   blacksmith   and   had  his  shop   on 
Sellar  street.    After  Mr.  Vanhoru  left  us 
the   liMDUse   was      occupied    by    Rev.    Mr. 
Sheets,  who  was  the  first  Episcopal  min- 
ister of   St.    Mark's   Church.    When   his 
eldest  daughter  married  Mr.  Sheets  built 
the  present  three-story  brick  building  on 
the  side  lot  south  of  his  dwelling,  where 
she    and    her    husband    lived.     After    the 
death   of   Rev.    Mr.   Sheets,   our   beloved 
and   respected   physician,   who   spent   his 
life  in  the  service  of  the  people  of  Frank- 
ford,    Dr.    Benjamin    H.   Deecon   bought 
the  property  and  resided  in  it  until  his 
death.    It  was  then  sold  to  the  Water- 
houses,  who  removed  the  old  dwelling  and 

(46) 


crcotetl    the    present    business    house    of 
\Vat«rhouse  Ilrothcrs. 

We  now  t.ike  up  the  west  side  of  Mniii 
street  at  Tnity  street.  On  the  N.  E.  cor- 
ner stood  n  two  nnd  a  li:ilf  story  stone 
house  wliich  liad  evidently  been  built  in 
the  earlier  history  of  Frankford.  Of 
its  early  history  we  know  but  little.  The 
first  occupant  we  have  any  knowledge  of 
was  a  family  named  I^ove.  The  name  of 
Levi  Love  appears  on  the  records  from 
1811  to  1813,  as  Chief  and  Assistant 
Chief  Burgess  and  in  1815  Giles  Love 
as  secretary  of  the  board  of  Burgesses. 
The  next  occupant  I  have  knowledge  of 
was  Mr.  Enoch  Roberts  who  kept  a 
dry  goods  and  notion  store.  Mr.  Enoch 
liobcrts'  daughter,  Mary,  was  one  of 
the  first  three  female  teachers  of  the 
JLirshall  public  school  in  1840.  The 
house  was  torn  down  in  the  GO's  to  make 
way  for  the  present  building  now  oc- 
cupied by  Mr.  Wright  as  a  drug  store. 
Here  I  would  say  that  I  am  indebted 
to  Mr.  D.  S.  Korer  for  valuable  in- 
formation. 

Next  to  the  corner  was  a  two-story 
frame  house  occupied  by  Thomas  Wilson 
as  a  blacksmith  and  wheelwright  shop. 
This  was  replaced  by  the  present  brick 
building.  Mr.  Korer's  property  ad- 
joined this  building  and  had  quite  a 
large  lot.  It  extended  east  to  Paul 
street  and  south  to  Unity  street  and 
from  Paul  to  the  present  Wright  prop- 
erty. The  building  faced  Main  street 
and  stood  back  some  distance.  It  was  a 
double  frame  of  modern  build  with  front, 
side  and  back  yards.  Previous  to  Mr. 
Rorer  purchasing  it  in  1840,  it  was  oc- 
cupied by  Dr.  Henry  Taylor  until  he 
removed  to  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Main  and 
Unity  streets.  Mr.  Korer  came  to 
Frankford  in  1S.''>0  and  no  one  wag  bet- 

(47) 


ter  known  and  respected.  He  died 
about  18G6.  Next  came  a  double  stone 
building  with  considerable  ground  which 
is  still  standing.  In  its  early  days  it 
was  owned  by  Joseph  Gillingham,  of 
Bucks  county,  and  during  the  twenties 
it  was  occupied  by  Caleb  Iddings,  a 
Friend,  who  lived  there  until  after  the 
separation  of  the  Society  of  Friends  in 
182G-7-S,  when  he  removed  to  the  city. 
After  he  left,  it  was  occupied  by  Charles 
Ellice  Hubbs,  who  with  his  family,  re- 
sided there  until  his  death  in  1S34.  He 
was  37  years  old  when  he  died.  Mrs. 
Hubbs  continued  to  reside  there  until  she 
removed  to  the  N.  W.  corner  of  Main 
and  Unity  streets.  It  was  later  pur- 
chased by  Harvey  Quicksall,  who  sold 
it  to  Dr.  R.  C.  Allen,  its  present  owner. 
The  stone  house  adjoining  was  owned 
and  occupied  by  John  Durns  whose  name 
appears  on  the  minutes  of  1830-31-35 
and  3G  as  a  Regulator.  His  family  oc- 
cupied the  premises  for  a  number  of 
years  after  his  death.  After  that  the 
family  of  Major  Issachar  Pugh  lived 
there  a  long  time.  Next  to  the  north 
stood  2  frame  houses,  said  to  have  been 
built  in  1793  during  the  yellow  fever 
epidemic  and  were  occupied  by  fugitives 
who  fled  from  the  city  to  escape  the 
fever.  The  lower  one  belonged  to 
Thomas  Rorer  and  was  occupied  by 
him  during  the  30's.  Other  occupants 
followed  of  whom  we  have  no  know- 
ledge. The  upper  one  M-as  occupied  by 
Doctor  Henry  Guernsey  when  he  first 
came  to  Frankford.  Previous  to  these 
tenants  the  house  was  occupied  for  a 
number  of  years  (as  late  as  1831)  by  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Biggs,  D.  D.,  who  was 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  from 
1818  to  1831.  It  was  purchased  by 
i8i8  to  1831,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
(48) 


Joseph   n.   Conily   who  occupied    it   until 
1840. 

Tlie  noxt  property  was  [)ur(hascil  by 
Joseph  Ball,  Senior,  Xuvenibor  li,  18.'{S. 
He  resided  iiere  until  lii.s  death  which 
took  phiee  in  isrt4.  His  widow  conlin- 
ued  to  oeeuiiy  the  property  until  her 
death,  September  17,  ItHX).  She  was  a 
woman  whom  to  know  was  to  love.  Full 
of  Christian  love  fur  all  her  friends,  she 
was  always  ready  to  extend  help  to  the 
sutTeriuf,'  or  needy.  During  the  Kebel- 
lion  lur  imrse  was  open  and  her  contri- 
butions were  large  and  freely  given. 
The  writer  speaks  from  personal  know- 
ledge and  has  assisted  her  in  her  acts  of 
patriotism  and  charity.  She  was  mourn- 
ed by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quantances.  The  property  is  still  owned 
by  her  son,  our  present  well  known  citi- 
zen  and  heir  to   the  estate. 

(I  am  indebted  to  ;Mr.  Joseph  I5all  for 
valuable  information  ami  also  to  Mrs. 
Eliza  Duffield  who  kindly  loaned  me 
a  book  containing  records  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Board  of  Burgesses,  from 
the  formation  of  the  board  in  1800  up  to 
1.842.) 

To  the  north  of  the  Ball  i)ro{terty 
was  a  l.-uge  lot  on  which  stood  the  old 
Arcade  until  the  early  ;JO"s  when  it  was 
removed.  Trevious  to  IS^JO  Doctor  John 
F.  Lamb  came  to  Frankford  and  opened 
an  office  in  the  Arcade  Building,  where 
he  remained  until  he  removed  to  his 
house  below  Unity  street.  This  lot  was 
vacant  until  about  18(!r>  when  the  pres- 
ent buildings  were  erected.  It  extended 
eastward  to  Paul  street.  North  of  it 
was  the  iiroperty  of  Samuel  Swope 
which  extended  to  Sellers  street  or  lane 
as  it  was  first  called.  Mr.  Swope  car- 
ried on  the  grocery  business  there  for  a 
number  of  years  and  was  the  father  of 
(49) 


a  large  family  and  a  prominent  man  in 
the    upper    part    of    the   borough.       Mr. 
Swope's  name  appears  on  the  records  of 
May,   1833-34  as  assistant  Burgess,  and 
as   Regulator  May,  1831   and  1832.    He 
was  one  of  the  two  out  of  the  ten  store 
keepers  who  were  to  the    manor   born, 
and    was    until    his    death,    a    strong   ad- 
vocate    of     American     principles.       Mr. 
Swope    was    the    father    of    twenty-one 
children   but  few  of  whom   are  living. 
The   eldest,   Mr.    Enoch    Swope,    is    91 
years  old. 

Sellers  Lane  east  of  Main  street  was 
then  designated  as  Swope's  corner,  and 
when  coming  from  the  city  iu  the  omni- 
buses, the  driver  was  always  told  to  stop 
it  Swope's  corner. 

This  brings  us  to  Sellers  street.  East 
)f  Main  there  were  no  houses  on  either 
side.  It  was  only  a  lane  and  at  times 
a  dai'k  muddy  lane.  As  you  all  know  it 
ends  at  Paul  street.  Westward  it  was 
open  to  what  is  now  Wingohocking 
street,  but  until  lately  was  designate<l  as 
"round  the  bend."  Houses  on  Sellers 
street  in  1840  were  few  and  small.  The 
only  street  opened  to  the  north  was 
Leiper  street.  About  1850  there  was  a 
move  made  to  extend  Sellers  street  fur- 
ther west,  and  the  fence  was  taken  down 
and  two  houses  built.  On  the  N.  E.  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Sellers  streets  was  a 
vacant  lot  owned  by  Jacob  Riglar  and  on 
the  rear  of  the  lot  stood  an  old  stone 
l>uilding  used  as  a  shiughter  house.  In 
that  building  many  hundreds  of  cattle 
yielded  up  their  lives  to  satisfy  the  appe- 
tites of  the  people.  This  building  is 
still  standing  and  is  occupied  by  A.  H. 
Gilmour  as  a   storehouse. 

Mr.  Rigler  was  a  prominent  man  and 
as  a  butcher  was  well  known  throughout 
the    surrounding    country.    His    dwelling 

(50) 


was  (111  tlio  luljiiiniiiK  lot.  William  r.ui- 
i:ov  owiiod  ami  occiipicil  tin*  next  house. 
He  and  his  good  wife  wero  old  inhabi- 
tants and  wore  very  much  respected. 
lie  was  a  carpenter  and  huihler.  From 
there  to  Oxford  street  were  several 
houses  with  front  and  side  yards  and 
panlens  in  the  rear.  These  houses  were 
occupied  at  dilTereiit  times  liy  the  follow- 
inp  families:  Mrs.  Leslier,  Mrs.  Quick- 
sail.  Mrs.  McMuIIen,  Enoch  Swfipe  and 
Philip  Foulkrod.  The  corner  one  by 
.Iiiliii  .lohnsni),  who  k(>pt  a  small  store. 
On  the  N.  E.  coiner  of  Main  and  C)xford 
streets  was  the  residence  of  Samuel 
Wakeling.  Mr.  Wakeling  wa.s  a  book 
MikKt  ami  carried  on  the  business  in 
a  lirick  linildin;:  on  Oxford  street  in  the 
rear  of  his  residence.  The  building  is 
.still  standing  but  has  been  converted 
into  two  small  houses.  Mr.  Wakeling 
was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the 
IJoi'ough  and  was  res[)ected  and  rever- 
enced t)y  all  who  knew  him.  lie  was 
kind-hearted,  pleasant  and  genial  and  en- 
deared himself  by  his  neighborly  ways 
to  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him. 
He  died  in  1844  after  a  short  illness.  The 
name  of  Samuel  Wakeling  appears  on 
the  Borough  records. 

Since  writing  this  I   have  learned  that 

Mr.    Andrew    Shoch,    who    lived    where 

Koiiiain    Block    now    stands,    was    also    n 

tailor,  making  two  tailors  in  the  borough 

in  the  1.1  te  ';50s  and  early  40s. 

Mrs.  Wakeling  was  the  daughter  of 
Mayberry  and  Mrs.  Whitman,  and,  like 
her  sister,  Mrs.  Jo.»-.eiih  Ball,  was  a  gen- 
eral favorite.  She  died  February  1,  ISO."}. 
Their  deaths  were  a  loss  to  the  commun- 
ity and  their  memory  is  stil  cherished  by 
their  many  friends.  Adjoining  their  prop- 
erty was  the  residence  of  Henry  Shoch. 
Mr.   Shoch   was  a    tailor.     He   was     well 

(51) 


known  throughont  the  borough.  The 
name  of  Henry  R.  Shoch  appears  on  the 
records  May,  1829-30-31-32  as  Assistant 
Burgess.  There  were  at  that  time  anil 
in  the  borough  two  Henry  Shochs.  The 
other  lived  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Paul  and  Sellers  streets.  He  was  a 
butcher,  and  they  were  designated  as 
Tailor  Harry  and  Butcher  Harry  Shoch. 
The  latter  was  a  whole-souled  man,  and 
delighted  in  making  others  as  happy  as 
he  was  himself.  When  there  was  sleigh- 
ing he  would  hitch  up  his  large  two-horse 
sleigh  and  gather  up  all  the  little  ones 
he  could  find  and  give  them  a  fine  ride. 
There  are  some  of  those  little  ones  still 
living  who  delight  in  recounting  the  jolly 
times  Mr.  Shoch  had  often  given  them. 
North  of  Mr.  Shoch's  house  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Abraham  Abrams.  It  was  a 
brick  house  and  had  considerable  ground 
around  it.  While  writing  about  these 
different  properties  my  mind  wanders 
back  05  years,  and  I  think  of  the  differ- 
ence between  then  and  now,  and  the 
thought  presents  itself  in  this  wise:  What 
would  our  thrifty  housekeepers  of  the 
present  da.v  do  if  they  could  go  to  either 
a  store  or  a  next-door  neighbor  and  pur- 
chase as  manj'  large  greengages  gathered 
from  the  trees  as  they  desired  for  five 
cents  per  quart,  and  pay  the  same  for 
currants,  raspberries  and  fruits  of  dif- 
ferent kinds'?  Yet  such  was  the  case. 
Almost  every  house  had  a  garden 
attached,  full  of  fruit  trees  that  yield- 
ed a  bountiful  crop.  Mr.  Abrams  was 
one  of  the  old  inhabitants  and  a  kind, 
genial  neighbor  and  friend.  He  carried 
on  brickmaking  on  Brickyard  lane,  now 
Foulkrod  street,  east  of  Main  street.  Ad- 
joining Mr.  Alirams'  property  on  the 
north  was  a  frame  house  belonging  to 
Conrad  Fries.  It  stood  where  Orthodox 
(52  ^ 


streot  is  at  the  prosont  timo.  Wlion  tli.it 
street  was  opened  to  Paul  street  Mr. 
l'"'rios'  lioiiso  was  iiiovctl  to  the  south 
siile  of  the  Int.  whore  it  remained  until 
tlie  i)resent  inick  l)nihliii>;  was  erected. 
Mr.  Fries  was  another  of  the  ohl  resi- 
dents and  a  man  of  sterling  character. 
He  was  one  of  the  few  who  snhscrilied  to 
the  Pnlilie  Ledger  when  daily  papers 
were  not  appreciated  as  thej-  are  now, 
and  it  was  said  of  him  that  he  was  gen- 
erally booked  np  in  matters  that  others 
knew  little  ahout.  His  luiliil  was  to  take 
the  i)aper  as  soon  as  it  came  and  thor- 
oughly digest  all  there  was  in  it,  and  if 
an  argnment  took  place  among  his  ac- 
flTKiintances  his  decision  was  final,  being 
i)acked  by  the  Ledger.  lie  was  a  general 
favorite  and  liked  for  his  amiable  dispo- 
sition. On  the  northwest  corner  of  Main 
and  Sellar  streets  was  the  residence  of 
Isaac  Worrell.  It  was  a  frame  house  and 
stood  back  from  the  pavement  and  with 
considerable  gi-onnd  around  it.  In  the 
earlier  years  Mr.  Worrell  owned  the  himl 
as  far  back  as  Leiper  street,  with  a  front 
on  Main  street  from  Sellar  street  to  the 
engine  house,  and  as  the  demand  tor 
l)uilding  lots  increased  he  put  the  prop- 
erty on  the  market.  The  name  of  Wor- 
rell is  so  closely  interwoven  with  Frank- 
ford  that  I  need  to  say  little  about  it  ex- 
cept that  it  was  a  name  that  was  always 
respected,  and  foremost  on  the  roll  was 
the  name  of  Isaac  Worrell,  better  known 
as  "rappy"  Worrell,  and  well  did  he 
merit  the  name.  In  conversation  with 
one  who  knew  him  for  nuiny  years  she 
said  he  was  a  lovely  person  whom  every- 
body respected,  and  especially  the  young, 
who  knew  him  only  as  "Pappy"  Worrell. 
He  had  occupied  several  prominent  posi- 
tions in  the  borough,  and  at  one  time 
taught  school  in  a  room   in  his  dwelling. 

(53) 


His  family,  wliich  was  a  large  one,  was 
known  throughout  the  surrounding  coun- 
try as  a  musical  family,  adding  to  the 
social  life  of  the  borough  by  joiuing  in 
singing  songs  of  praise  and  the  popular 
music  of  the  period.  Mr.  \Yorrell  was  a 
Swedeuborgian  minister,  and  was  pastor 
of  a  church  in  Darby  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  also  tax  collector  at  one 
time  for  the  borough  of  Frankford,  and 
grandfather  of  our  Professor  T.  W.  Wor- 
rell, whom  we  all  know  so  well.  The 
eldest  son,  Thomas  B.  Worrell,  was  a 
professor  of  music  and  organized  a  choral 
society,  which  he  led  for  a  number  of 
years  and  which  was  the  leading  institu- 
tion of  the  liorough.  Mr.  Worrell  died  in 
the  late  '50s  and  was  G6  years  of  age. 
Like  others  of  the  leading  men,  his  death 
was  a  public  loss.  In  the  early  '40s  the 
Lyceum  was  built  on  the  site  of  the 
present  Insurance  building  and  is  now 
the  rear  part  of  that  building.  It  had 
for  a  long  time  the  only  large  hall  suit- 
able for  public  meetings  and  concerts  and 
was  well  patronized.  Next  was  the 
house  of  the  old  Washington  Engine 
Company,  who  occupied  tlie  place  of  the 
present  fire  house.  It  was  formed  Janu- 
ary, 1793,  and  continued  in  active  ser- 
vice until  the  paid  fire  department  was 
inaugurated  on  March  15.  1S71.  The  old 
hand  engine  was  in  use  imtil  about  1809, 
when  a  steam  engine  was  procured  by 
the  company.  This  was  in  active  service 
until  a  larger  one  was  deemed  necessary. 
On  the  roll  of  the  early  members  were 
the  names  of  many  of  the  prominent  men 
of  the  day,  many  of  whom  were  Friends, 
Some  of  them  remained  in  the  company 
and  were  active  members  until  the  com- 
pany gave  way  to  the  paid  fire  depart- 
ment. In  the  early  '30s  a  number  of  the 
men  formed  a  bucket  brigade  for  supply- 

(54) 


iiii.'  ilii>  oii.u'iiif  Willi  wiitor.  Each  man 
hail  to  iirt>vi(U>  two  leather  hiickets,  which 
he  kept  at  his  house,  and  when  an  alarm 
was  sounded  they  ran  with  a  hueket  in 
eaeh  hand,  and  formed  two  lines  from  a 
l>uiiii),  \M'll  iM-  rain  li"K-'*head,  and  i)assC(l 
the  full  buckets  on  one  line  and  the 
empty  ones  were  returned  on  the  other. 
These  buckets  were  in  use  until  the  fire- 
plugs were  installed.  North  of  this  build- 
ing were  two  frame  ami  two  stone  build- 
ings, the  last  of  which  was  occupied  by 
Peter  Colebaugh,  of  whom  I  have  re- 
ferred to  in  a  former  paper.  The  last  of 
these  buildinus,  a  two-story  stone,  was 
recently  demolished  to  make  way  for  the 
present  brick  building.  Next  was  a  small 
alley  which  led  to  Colonel  Burns'  stable, 
but  which  is  now  Gillingham  street. 
Then  came  the  property  of  Cohmel  James 
Bums.  It  stood  back  rrmu  the  street 
and  was  considerably  higher  than  the 
pavement.  It  was  surrounded  by  large 
trees  and  the  house  being  colonial  built 
and  painted  yellow,  it  presented  a  very 
pleasing  and  cool  appearance.  Colonel 
Burns  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  a 
soldier  of  the  War  of  1812  and  a  warm- 
hearted person,  a  friend  and  companion 
of  Commodore  Barren  and  Stephen  De- 
cator.  He  resided  there  until  his  death, 
March,  IS^il.  The  corner  property  ad- 
joining Colonel  Burns  belonged  to  Gard- 
ner Fulton,  who  died  about  ISliO.  The 
property  is  in  the  possession  of  his  son. 
This  brings  us  to  Smith's  lane,  where  we 
will  take  up  the  next  and  last  paper  of 
the  series.  The  borough  was  about  V/^ 
miles  in  length  north  and  south  and 
about  the  same  distance  east  and  west. 

Diu'ing  the  last  42  years— from  l.SOO  to 
184:.'— we  tind  the  following  persons  elect- 
ed to  till  the  olflce  of  Chief  Burgess: 
Isaac      Worrell,     Poter     Neff,      William 

(55) 


George,  Abraham  Duffield,  Thomas  Gil- 
lingham,  John  Riian,  John  H.  Worrell, 
Joshua  Snllivau,  Edward  Gilfillan,  Wil- 
liam Hunt,  Matthias  Gilbert,  Thomas  W. 
Duffield,  Sr.,  Jessee  Walton,  Jacol) 
Coates,  Mahlon  Dungan,  Bela  Badger, 
Isaac  Whitelock,  Benjamin  Walton.  John 
Rorer,  Isaac  Shallcross,  Francis  J.  Har- 
per, Philip  Earned,  Joseph  Deal,  James 
M.  Comly,  Jeremiah  Horrocks.  Robert 
Shaw  and  T.  W.  Duffield,  Jr.  There 
were  two  elected  for  each  term  of  one 
year. 


(56) 


Papers  Read 


BEFORE     THE 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 
of  Frankford. 


Vol.  I.         No.  3. 


REPRINTED    FROM 

•'THE  FRANKFORD  GAZETTE' 

I90T. 


CONTENTS. 


Taxation  in  Pennsylvania,  -  -  -  Page     i 

(By  William  Hagerman.) 

The  Use  of  Local  History,       ....    Page  ir. 

(By  Rev.  Samuel  Fitch  Hotchkin) 

Muster  Roll,  .  -  .  _  .  Page  24. 

(Paper  presented  by  Mr.  T.  Worcester  Worrell) 

A  Glance  at  the  Social  and  Business  Life 

of  Frankford,  54  Years  Ago  -  -  Page  26 

Reminiscences  of  Frankford,  -  -  -    Page  34. 

(By  Miss  Mary  P.  Allen) 


Taxation  in  Pennsylvania 

"The  Penny  the  Pound" 

lly  Wii.i.iAM  IIaoekman 

The  history  of  a  nice,  a  nation,  or  a 
ooimiiiiiiily,  to  be  of  value,  must  be  a 
record  of  facts,  which  have  beeu  or  cau 
be  proved  true.  The  historian  must  not 
let  his  prejudices  eutfr  into  his  work,  nor 
must  he  acce[)t  hearsay  and  Icgonds  as 
true  historical  facts.  The  gatheriu^  of 
facts  relating  to  a  community  is  a  diffi- 
cult, if  not  an  almost  hopeless  task.  In 
preparing  this  paper  I  have  endeavored 
to  present  facts  that  can  be  corroborated 
through  authentic  history: 

"Taxation  is  an  old  subject,  and  al- 
ways a  subject  of  coutrovery."  Upon 
the  organization  of  government  one  of  the 
lir.st  needs  is  to  provide  for  the  expen.se 
of  government.  This  is  done  by  the 
levying  of  taxes.  Taxes  are  of  two  kind.s, 
direct  and  indirect.  Direct  taxes  may  be 
a  per  capita  tax  or  a  levy  on  land,  and 
visible  personal  iiroiicrty.  or  created  prop- 
erty, as  stock,  bonds  and  mortgages.  In- 
direct taxes,  the  most  insidious  form  of 
taxation,  are  tariff  and  internal  revenue 
chaiges.  More  than  a  hundred  years 
ago  the  older  I'itt,  speaking  in  the  I'.riiish 
Parliament,  of  the  advantage  of  indirect 
taxation  over  direct  taxation,  said:  "It 
does  not  take  much  diri'ct  taxation  to 
make  a  people  rebel.  I'y  indirect  taxa- 
tion you  can  tax  the  clothes  off  their 
backs,  and  the  crusts  out  of  their  mouths, 
and  they  will  not  only  endure  it,  but 
they  will  give  up  their  lives  on  the  battle- 

(1) 


field,  if  necessary,  to  defend  such  a  gov- 
ernment." 

Primarily,  the  object  of  taxation  is  to 
raise  revenue  to  meet  the  expense  of  gov- 
ernment.      But  sometimes  other  reasons 
are  given  for  the  exercise  of  the  taxing 
power,    as   for    the   building   up    and    the 
protection   of   "infant     industries."    This 
exercise  of  the  taxing  power  of  govern- 
ment is  cause  of  endless  controversy,  and 
changes  with  changes  in  economic  condi- 
tions.   Thus,    in    New    England,    immedi- 
ately after  the  establishment  of  the  Fed- 
eral   Govei'ument,    the   commercial    inter- 
ests dominated  economic  conditions,  and, 
therefore  controlled  the  political  situation. 
We   find    New    England    advocating   free 
trade.    At    about    this    time,    the    slave- 
holders of  the  cotton-growing  States   ad- 
vocated protection.    The  growth  of  manu- 
facturing in  New  England,  and  the  open- 
ing of  an  European  market  for  the  raw 
cotton   of  the  South,   changed   the  situa- 
tion.    Webster,   who  had   advocated   free 
trade  in  the  interests  of   his  commercial 
class  constituents,  now  became  an  ardent 
protectionist,  in  the  interests  of  the  manu- 
facturing class.    On  the  other  hand,  Cal- 
houn,  who  had   early   advocated   protec- 
tion, now  became  as  rabid  a  free  trader. 

On   the   12th   of   March.    lGt;4,    Charles 
the    Second    granted    to    his   brother,    the 
Duke  of   York,    "all   New  England   from 
the  St.  Croix  to  the   DelaM'are,"  and  di- 
rected     the      Dutch   to    be    dispossessed. 
Colonel  Robert  Nichols,   the  first  Gover- 
nor, was  a  mild  ruler,  but  his  successors, 
Lovelace  and  Andros,  were  more  severe. 
Lovelace  believed   "in  laying  such  taxes 
on  the  people  as  might  not  give  them  lib- 
erty to   entertain  any  other  thought  but 
how  to  discharge  them."     He  imposed  a 
tax  of  ten  per  cent,  on  all  goods  imported 
into  or  exported  from,  the  Delaware,  the 
(2) 


lirst    iMiilT   riirmcfd    nii    tlic    river.     I-ovp- 
hici'    siK'ii'i'di'd     Nii'nlls    lis    ( iovi'innr     in 

Miiy,  u;(;7. 

Tlio  itMil  of  that  (liiy  was  a  IhisIk-I  of 
wlioat  for  cviMy  liinnln'il  acres.  The  first 
huul  (ax  wesi  of  the  Dohiware  \va.-<  hi'nl 
li.v  the  Tplaiul  ('mirl.  in  Nnvemher,  l<iT7. 
It  was  I'lilcil  "iHiJI  iiKHU'.v"  ami  l\vfnl.v-si\' 
guilders  \mis  assessed  uKaiust  each  tax- 
able inhiihilaiit,  between  the  ajjes  of  Ki 
years  and  sixty  years,  to  pay  the  '"at- 
cuniulated  expt'nses."  It  was  to  be 
eollectod  by  the  sheriff  before  the  25th  of 
March  foIluwii.g,  and  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  money,  ho  was  authorized  to 
receive  it  in  kind,  the  price  of  wheat  be- 
ing lixed  at  li\e,  lye  and  liarley  at  lonr, 
and  Indian  corn  at  three  guilders  per 
schepel.  The  .-^chepel  is  a  Dutch  measure 
equal  to  three  English  pecks.  Of  the 
whole  number  of  taxables  under  the  jur- 
isdiction of  Ui)land,  sixty-three  were  in 
the  Tacony  district,  which  then  included 
Oxford  township  and  Bucks  County  up  to 
the  Falls  of  Delaware.  About  this  time 
Governor  Andros  declared  real  and  per- 
sonal property  liable  for  debt,  the  first 
time  the  English  lnw  on  the  subject  was 
enforced  on  the  Delaware.  The  levying 
of  a  ten  per  cent.  larilT  by  Lovelace  and 
the  land  tax  laid  by  Fplaud  ("ourl.  are 
the  first  efforts  of  the  Engli.>-li.  after  dis- 
possessing the  Dutch,  at  taxing  the  in- 
habitants, that  affected  those  living 
along  the  western  bank  of  the  Delaware. 
The  Dutch,  though,  had  levied  a  tax  on 
the  Swedes  and  Finns  as  early  as  1G50, 
and  in  Ki.'O  Stuyvesant  brought  an  expe- 
dition from  New  .\m.-terdam,  too  strong 
to  be  resisted,  buili  Fcrt  Cassiiuir  (New 
Castle,  Delaware),  near  Fort  Christina, 
and  after  the  method  of  the  robber 
barons  of  the  Uhine,  collected  toll  on  all 
boats  passing  up  and  down  the  river.    He 

(3) 


abandoned  Fort  Nassau,  as  being  too  far 
inland.  Fort  Nassau  was  built  in  1623, 
on  the  Jersey  side,  where  Gloucester 
now  stands. 

In  1678  a  tax  of  five  guilders  was  laid 
on  each  taxable  inhabitant.  A  guilder  is 
a  Dutch  coin  of  the  value  of  20  stivers, 
al)out  38  cents,  or  one  shilling  nine  pence 
sterling. 

Tax  bills  were  among  the  first  pre- 
sented to  the  provincial  council,  and  a 
tax  was  laid  on  land  in  1683.  Land  was 
sold  by  Penn  at  four  pence  per  acre,  sub- 
ject to  a  quit  rent  of  one  shilling  for  each 
one  hundred  acres,  "as  a  source  of  reve- 
nue for  the  Governor."  The  quit  rent, 
being  a  source  of  revenue,  may  be  con- 
sidered a  tax.  When  the  extent  of  ter- 
ritory, 40,000  square  miles,  granted  to 
Penn,  is  taken  into  consideration,  and 
that  as  sole  proprietary,  had  he  chosen 
to  use  his  privilege  as  a  feudal  lord,  he 
could  have  exercised  authority  over  a 
country  and  a  people,  greater  in  extent 
and  numbers  than  any  Baron  of  the 
Feudal  age  ever  dreamed  of. 

March  10,  1683,  writs  were  issued  to 
the  counties  for  a  new  Legislature  to 
meet  at  Philadelphia.  Twelve  were  to  be 
chosen  from  each  county,  of  whom  nine 
were  for  the  Assembly  and  three  for  the 
Council.  "This  legislation  enlarged  the 
great  law  in  much  detail,  levied  duties 
and  went  into  the  matters  of  trade, 
weights  and  adulterations;  licenses, 
houses  of  correction  and  detention  and 
bridges  over  the  'Neshamiuie,  Schuylkill 
and  Christeen;'  rewards  for  wolf  scalps 
and  prohibition  for  three  years  to  kill 
the  young  females  of  domestic  animals." 
The  counties  referred  to  are  Bucks,  with 
boundaries  nearly  as  at  present;  Phila- 
delphia, including  the  city  and  the  present 
county  of  Montgomery;  and  Chester,  in- 

(4) 


eluding  tho  territory  now  within  tlio 
limits  of  ("Lester  and  Delawiire  (^)iiii- 
ties.  In  Itiitli  tiie  CioviMunrsliip  was  taken 
away  rnnii  I'l'iui  and  uivcn  to  Benjamin 
Flettlier,  tlnMi  also  (Jovernor  of  Ni'W 
York. 

'Wednesday.  All  Philadelpliiu,  the  l2t;tli 
of  A  prill,  UVXi. 

"His  Excellfncy  arrived  here  between 
the  hours  of  11  and  \-  in  Ihc  forcnoone, 
auil  liciii';  Couductetl  l>y  tiie  Sheriffe  to 
the  mereate  place.  Caused  their  Majes- 
ties' Letters  patents  for  the  Government 
of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Castle,  to  be 
publicly  read. 

'"His  Excell  havinf;  sent  for  Thumas 
Lloyd,  the  Late  Deputy  Governor  did  of- 
fer unto  him  the  first  place  in  the  Coun- 
ciil,  which  he  did  refuse." 

The  Excellency  referred  to  in  this  tract 
was  Benjamin  Fleti'her,  "Captain  Gen- 
era 11  and  Governor  in  Chief e  of  the 
province  of  New  Yorke,  province  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Countrey  of  New 
Castle,  and  the  Territories  and  Tracts  of 
Lninl  depending  thereon,  in  America," 
who  had  been  appointed  by  "onr  Sover- 
eign Lord  and  Lady,  William  and  Mary, 
by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  England,  Scot- 
land, France  and  Ireland,  King  and 
Queen,"  etc. 

The   Council   met    at   2    P.    M.,    on    the 

same  day,  when  : — "His  Excel  did  desire 
that  the  members  of  Council  would  re- 
solve into  a  Committee  to  consider  of 
persons  within  the  province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Countrey  of  New  Castle,  that 
are  qualitied  to  be  Judges,  .Tustices  of  the 
Peace,  Sheriffes  and  other  otlicers, 
throughout  the  sevei-al  Counties;  which 
was  ordered  accordingly." 

The  Council  nominated  a  number  of 
persons  who  were  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor. Among  the  appointees  were 
"Francis    Daniell    Pastorius,"    Justice   of 

(5) 


the  Peace,  and  "John  Worrell,  Assessor." 

The  Assessor's  notes  show  that  there 
were  twenty-six  taxables  in  Oxford,  of 
whom  thirteen  were  Friends,  viz.:  Jacob 
Hall,  Kichard  Whitefield,  John  Fletcher, 
Joseph  Paul,  John  Harper  and  sons, 
John  and  Charles,  George  Bursou,  John 
\\  ills,  Daniel  Hall,  Thomas  Graves, 
Robert  Adams  and  John  Worrell. 

The  Assessor  and  Collector  in  this  dis- 
trict had  little  trouble  in  prosecuting  their 
duties,  but  some  of  the  others  had  ex- 
perienced unexpected  ditticulties  in  col- 
lecting the  tax  of  a  penny  on  each 
pound's  worth  of  property;  they  were 
obliged,  eventually,  to  call  upon  thu 
Sherift'e  for  assistance.  The  tax  rate  was 
one  penny  per  pound's  worth  of  property 
and  six  shillings  a  head  on  all  who  were 
not  otherwise  rated. 

"Att  a  Councill  Held  at  Philadelphia 
on  a  Tuesday,  the  1st  day  of  August, 
1G93." 

"John  Claypoole,  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  Philadelphia,  having  informed  the  Lt. 
Gov.  and  Councill  that  the  members  of 
Assemblie  for  the  said  Couutie,  and  the 
other  three  assessors  chosen  by  you,  hav- 
ing thought  titt  to  nominate  him  Collec- 
tor of  the  said  Couutie  of  the  supply 
money,  but  were  desirous  that  the  Lt. 
Gov.  and  Councill  might  take  Securitie 
from  and  with  him  in  500  lb.  for  his  per- 
formance yrof  and  fidelitio  yrin,  Hee 
brought  Samll  Atkins  for  his  Securitie." 
After  deliberation  the  Council  raised  the 
amount  of  security  to  one  thousand 
pounds.  Samuel  Atkins  was  accepted  as 
surety,  and  Sheriff  Claypoole  entered  up- 
on his  duties  as  collector. 

Governor  Fletcher  himself  was  sorely 
vexed  at  the  indifference,  evasion  and 
resistance  of  the  people.  In  a  letter  to 
Lieutenant   Governor   William     Markam 

(t5) 


niid  tho  I'liilii(icl|iliiii  C'oiiiKil,  ho  wrote: 
"I  ilosirc  your  care  in  nuisinj?  the  penny 
ill  liu'  pound  to  he  duly  collcftcd,  nnd  if 
any  of  tlie  Uei)ri>s('ntalivos  of  tho  As- 
sembly he  backwards,  let  ine  know  tlnir 
names   and   residence." 

To  this  th'^  Council  replied:  '"1  he  lav- 
ing of  the  same,  nppointini^  assessors, 
collectors  and  the  bringing  in  the  names 
of  the  inhabitants,  does  go  on  with  na 
much  expedition  as  may  be  in  all  the 
six  counties,  and  if  anie  persons  con- 
cerued  shall  be  found  backwards  or  negli- 
gent to  assist  in  making  the  si'u.e,  order- 
ed that  their  names  and  residence  be 
transmitted  to  his  Excelly,  and  that 
all  possible  can  be  taken  to  snpplie  that 
defect  by  all  lawful  means." 

The  Governor's  letter  continued:  "Yon 
know  that  there  is  no  revenue  fixed  for 
support  of  ye  maties  [majesties]  govern- 
ment. ITow  my  time  and  patience  was 
wasted  in  the  last  assembly  to  no  pur- 
pose. I  doc  now  desere  yor  advice  in 
the  calling  of  an  assembly,  if  it  may  be 
convenient,  this  fall,  and  that  you  doe 
use  yor  interests  to  procure  such  Repre- 
sentatives as  may  be  best  affected  to 
their  maties  government." 

In  1G94  the  war  question  came  to  the 
front  with  a  new  Assembly,  of  which 
David  Lloyd  was  speaker.  The  governor 
asked  them  to  levy  a  tax  to  "feed  the 
hunjrry  and  clothe  the  naked;"  i.  e.,  to  as- 
sist in  buying  the  Kive  Nations  away 
from  the  French.  In  the  time  of  (Gov- 
ernor Keith  the  expense  of  the  provincial 
government  was  about  ir.OO  pounds^,  and 
this  was  paid  by  a  tax  on  -eal  and  per- 
sonal property,  duties  on  spirits,  flax, 
hops  and  negroes,  and  the  interest  on 
loans.  The  Constitution  of  1701  settled 
the  question  of  taverji  licenses.  It  au- 
thorized the  judges   to  rraut   licenses  to 

(7) 


suitable  persons. 

lu  1704  a  bill  was  passed  fixing  the 
value  of  lands  for  taxation,  wtich  bas 
served  as  a  basis  for  all  subsequent 
assessments.  Meadow  land  was  to  be 
valued  at  from  60  pound  to  10  pounds 
per  hundred  acres,  and  cultivated  land 
with  improvements,  at  three-fifths  of 
what  it  would  rent  for.  Horses  were 
valued  at  four  pence  per  Lead,  horned 
cattle  above  3  years  old,  at  six  shillings 
and  eight  pence,  and  sheep  at  one  shilling. 
A  fixed  valuation  was  also  placed  on 
black  and  white  slaves.  The  rate  of  in- 
terest was  fixed  at  8  per  cent.,  but  in 
1722,  at  a  period  of  commercial  em- 
barressmeut,  it  was  reduced  to  G  per 
cent.,  and  produce  made  a  legal  tender 
for  debt. 

After  the  defeat  of  Braddock,  in  1755, 
the  Assembly  voted  50,000  pounds  to  the 
King's  use  to  be  raised  by  a  tax  of  12 
pence  per  pound,  on  all  estates,  real  and 
personal,  the  estates  of  the  proprietaries 
not  to  be  accepted;  and  a  tax  of  20 
shillings  per  head,  for  two  years.  Gov- 
ernor Morris  rejected  the  bill  because 
it  taxed  the  proprietary  estate.  The 
tax  was  small,  about  500  pounds  per 
year.  This  attempt  to  tax  the  estate  of 
the  proprietors  led  to  a  long  controversy 
and  the  clamor  became  so  great  that 
Thomas  Penn  sent  word  that  they  would 
subscribe  5000  pounds  for  the  protection 
of  the  colony.  The  Assembly  yielded, 
and  the  money  bill  passed  without  taxing 
the  proprietary  estates.  This  gift  had  a 
string  to  it,  it  was  to  be  collected  out 
of  the  arrears  of  quit-rents,  and  the  pay- 
ment was  long  delayed.  In  1757  the 
question  of  taxing  proprietary  estates 
came  up  again,  and  finally  resulted  in 
their  being  taxed  the  same  as  other 
estate;  Governor  Denny  assenting  to  the 

(8) 


hill.  Iti  fact,  this  tax  dodRinK  and  <iiiil)- 
bliuK.  on  Iho  part  of  the  (iroiirielors, 
greatly  lesst'iied  the  rcsi)oct  and  osterin  in 
which  llicy  were  bold  liy  tin-  in-ople,  and 
was  oue  of  the  principal  causes  leading 
up  to  the  purchase  of  the  interests  of 
the  i'eniis,  by  the  Assembly,  iu  177!),  for 
13U,<MX)  pounds.  This  purchase  did  not 
include  luivate  estates  and  their  uianors, 
some  of  which  are  said  to  be  iu  posses- 
sion of  the  family  to  this  day. 

Another  si:bject  of  endless  controversy 
hiy  in  the  efforts  of  the  Assembly  to 
extend  its  power  imd  to  curtail  the  au- 
thority exercised  by  the  proprietaries.  In 
this  connection  there  are  some  points 
which  should  be  Riven  important  con- 
sideration; the  evidences  of  the  growth 
of  civil  and  constitutional  lilnriy,  those 
formative  processes  by  which  a  colony 
grows   into   a   commonwealth. 

The  Swedes  and  Finns,  the  Dutch, 
English,  Germans,  Welsh  and  Scotch- 
Irish,  with  their  different  religions, 
Quaker,  Lutheran,  Reformed,  Episcopa- 
lian, Tunker  Mennonite,  Schwenkfelder, 
Moravian  and  Presbyterian,  all  filled  im- 
portant places  in  this  development.  For 
nearly  a  hundred  years,  from  lti82  to 
177G,  the  period  with  this  paper  mainly 
deals,  one  great  division  of  the  popula- 
tion, the  Quakers,  controlled  the  policy 
and  legislation  of  the  province.  About 
1755  the  other  elements  began  to  assume 
important  positions  in  political  contests. 
The  churchmen  and  the  Scotch-Irish  be- 
came bitter  opponents  of  the  Quakers, 
but  failed  to  drive  them  from  power. 
During  the  Revolution  the  Quaker  influ- 
ence disappeared  entirely  and  the  Scotch- 
Irish  came  into  the  ascendant. 

This  period  is  the  period  of  the  slow, 
pure  and  steady  growth  of  civil  liberty. 
In    Massachusetts,    the    colonists   at    first 


enjoyed  political  independence,  electing 
their  own  governors  and  making  their 
own  laws.  But  at  the  end  of  fifty  years 
their  charter  was  annulled,  their  liberties 
lost,  and  they  came  under  direct  royal 
rule  through  governors  appointed  by  the 
crown.  Nearly  all  the  other  colonies 
passed  through  similar  experiences,  ex- 
cepting Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island, 
whose  liberal  form  of  government  con- 
tinued through  the  whole  colonial  period. 

Pennsylvania  was,  from  the  first,  a 
feudal  proprietary  province,  controlled  by 
deputy-governors,  proprietor,  and  king, 
liut  gradually  worked  out  the  principles 
of  constitutional  liberty,  which,  at  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  gave  such  a 
satisfactory  form  of  government  that  it 
proved  a  great  obstacle  to  the  movement 
for  independence.  In  this  movement  for 
constitutional  liberty  there  was  no  back- 
ward step;  year  by  year,  with  most  re- 
markable regularity,  these  disputes  with 
the  deputy-governor  and  proprietors  con- 
tinued. There  were  no  uphevals,  no 
revolutions  nor  violence,  but  before  the 
determined  purpose  of  the  Assembly,  the 
King,  governor  and  proprietary  slowly 
yielded. 

It  is  to  the  men  of  these  times  we  owe 
the  rights  we  enjoy  to-day,  for  out  of 
these  disputes,  most  of  them  appearing 
insignificant  at  first  sight,  were  evolved 
those  principles  of  government,  which 
led  to  the  adoption  of  the  several  con- 
stitutions, and  are  the  foundations  on 
which  are  b-jilt  the  democratic  form  of 
government  of  our  great  Commonwealth. 


(10 


The  Use  of  Local  History. 


By  Rkv.  Sami-el  Fitch  Hotchkin. 

The  word  liistory  is  from  the  (Irock 
ISTOKIA,  moaning  a  story- 

Une  of  tlie  tirst  pleasures  of  eUiklli<i<nl 
is  the  hearing  of  stories  from  ".Tatk  and 
Gill"  to  till'  ScriiitiuT  narrativos,  in 
which  Adam  and  Eve,  Al)rahani  and 
Isaac,  and  the  child  Jesus  move  hefore 
young  eyes  in  imagination,  as  young  ears 
drink  in  tlu'  vivid  discourse  of  their  eld- 
ers. 

Some  little  girls  arc  galhorod  around 
the  fire-place  of  a  (juiet  long  winter's 
evening,  as  grandmother  sits  in  the 
chimney-corner  knitting.  Little  Mary 
Iiipes  up:  Grandma,  tell  us  what  you 
used  to  d"  wlit'u  you  were  a  little  ^'irl 
like  US."  The  sweet  old  face  brightens, 
as  the  aged  dame  accompanies  the  click 
of  her  ne<>dles,  and  with  her  voice,  she 
recalls  the  days  of  "Anld  liang  Syne" 
when  at  school  she  worked  the  sampler 
now  in  the  parlor  of  wondrous  design, 
with  its  weeping  willow  and  tombstone, 
nnd  id"  Pussy  I'lufTy,  who  lies  in  her  lap 
in  the  (dd  portrait  of  tlie  girl,  with  Carlo 
at  her  feet,  who  saved  her  from  drowning 
in  the  creek.  The  tale  is  fastened  in 
young  hearts  for  a  life  time,  and  told  to 
children's    children. 

lint  Harry  must  hear  form  grandfather 
in  ihe  other  fireside  nook,  and  draws  out 
a  Uevolutionary  story  of  the  old  gun 
hanging  on  the  kitchen  wall,  as  the  tlame 
lightens  up  the  wrinkles  of  age,  and  the 
warrior  fights  over  his  battles;  but  wishes 

(11) 


for  the  timo  wlion  trumpets  and  Runs 
may  give  place  to  hymns  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  as  a  foretaste  to  the  entrance 
upon  the  world  of  lasting  peace  and 
Heavenly  joy.  The  "peace  on  earth" 
which  Angels  sang  at  Christ's  birth  in 
Bethlehem,  is  prophesied  by  Isaiah  in 
the  words,  "neither  shall  they  learn  war 
any  more,"  2:4. 

The  force  of  these  stories  lies  in  the 
fact  that  they  pertain  to  iudividnals 
known  and  loved,  and  curiosity  prompts  a 
desire  to  know  more  of  them,  and  oven 
of  their  ancestors.  Evei-y  family  has 
some  man  or  woman  in  their  simple 
chronicles  who  has  distinguished  it,  and 
the  Sons  and  Daughters  of  the  Revolu- 
tion are  now  scaiuiing  aiuials.  and  long 
lists  of  soldiers'  names  to  call  out  those 
who  have  touched  their  kindred  with  a 
spark  of  heroic  tlame,  which  still  shines 
in  the  world. 

An  old  wedding  ring,  or  an  ancient 
monument  wake  pleasant  thouglits  of 
nolile  foreniotliers  and   forefathers. 

Ivocal  history,  from  the  Latin  locus,  a 
place,  is  properly  the  history  of  a  loca- 
tion; Vmt  the  location  has  been  ennobled 
by  the  history  of  human  beings;  it  is 
not  a  desert,  inhabited  by  wild  beasts. 
In  pictures  a  man  is  represented  stand- 
ing by  the  side  of  a  house,  as  a  means  of 
allowing  the  eye  of  the  beholder  to 
judge  the  height  of  the  building  by  com- 
paring it  with  the  height  of  the  man. 
So  the  importance  of  a  dwelling,  or  a 
village  is  the  importance  of  those  who 
have  lived  in  it,  and  their  lives  are  as- 
sociated with  its  streets  and  the  babliling 
brook  which  still  sings  of  their  fame.  Even 
a  tree  shading  a  blacksmith's  shop  in 
Cambridge  calls  up  a  thought  of  Long- 
fellow's poem. 
There   is    an    olfl    wheelwright    shop    in 

(12) 


Soniprton  wliorc  JuOkp  Cooper,  the  fiillicr 
lit  Jauios  Fiiiimore  CoDpor,  tlic  novelist, 
iiuiy  li.ivo  worked,  as  lie  ntice  toiled  in 
that  trade  at  Somertoii,  and  also  m-ar 
old    Hyln-ny    Meeting    House. 

The  Itev.  U.  Aiidii-ws  roole,  of  Elli- 
cott  City,  Maryland,  wrote  me  tliat  his 
grandfather,  Dr.  Aiulirws,  wlio  inii;,'iil 
a  school  on  tile  present  William  proiicrly 
in  Bnstleton,  lately  the  home  of  St. 
Luke's  Boarding  School,  under  Profes- 
sors Strout  and  Smith,  had  taught  Viee 
I'resident  Cieorge  M.  Dallas,  Mayor 
Swift,  and  CJovcrnor  George  Wolf,  of 
rennsylvania,  who  worked  as  a  gardener 
near  Bnstleton;  and  the  kind  doctor  as- 
sisted in  educating  him.  The  Governor 
gratefully  appointed  him  Clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  of  Philadelphia.  This  is 
a  touch  of  local  history  for  old  Bustle- 
ton. 

Another  is  old  Pennypacker  Church, 
with  its  romantic  story  of  its  first  pas- 
tor, the  Ilev.  Elias  Kcach,  son  of  a  dis- 
tinguished London  Baptist  pastor,  and 
auothfi-  who  prcntended  to  be  a  minister, 
as  a  pleasantry,  and,  weeping  in  the  pul- 
pit, declared  his  deception,  hut  was  taken 
by  the  Ri-v.  Thomas  Dungan.  of  Cold 
Spring,  nuder  his  care,  and  became  a  use- 
ful preacher  of  righteousness  and  re- 
turneil  to  work  in  Loiulon,  having  mar- 
ried Mary  Moore,  daughter  of  Nicholas 
Moore,  friend  of  Peun,  and  President  of 
the  Society  of  Free  Traders.  He  owned 
the  Green  Spring  plantation,  containing 
hundreds  of  acres,  on  the  Tomlinson 
road   near  Sonn'iinii. 

The  noted  English  politician,  William 
Cobbett,  who  published  his  POKCC- 
PINE'S  GAZETTE  in  the  Beehive  at 
Bnstleton,  in  yellow  fever  times,  for  three 
months,   must  not   be  forgotten. 

The    Uev.    Robert    Collyer's    work    at 

(13) 


Ogontz,  or  Shoemakcrtowu,  as  a  laborer 
in  Hammond's  Axe  Factory,  preceded  an 
illustrious  public  life.  In  Chicago  he  had 
in  his  church  the  anvil  he  used  as  a 
blacksmith  in  England,  and  has  been 
called    "the   blacksmith    preacher." 

The  country  around  Fraukford  is  full 
of  these  associations.  Doctor  Dixou, 
and  his  good  wife,  have  done  a  noble 
service  to  the  town  itself  in  collecting 
the  threads  of  local  history,  and  weavint; 
them  into  a  rich  web,  which  should  form 
a  part  of  an  illustrated  history,  which 
should  be  published.  Little  has  ai)pearoil 
in  print  on  this  section,  aud,  pi-rhaps.  no 
two  persons  have  ever  done  such  patient 
Avork  in  gathering  valuable  traditions, 
which  make  Fraukford  new,  as  it  were, 
in  revealing  in  the  streets  and  ancient 
stone  mansions  an  earlier  day,  when  I-a- 
fayette  and  others  graced  its  former  civic 
life. 

As  to  the  use  of  local  history,  I  wish 
to  quote  some  thoughts  from  a  memoir 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  founder 
and  first  president  of  Williams  College, 
my  mother's  uncle,  and  a  connection  of 
.Tohu  Fitch,  the  steamboat  inventor.  The 
Rev.  Calvin  Durfee  is  the  author.  The 
samples  of  historical  charcaters  are  great- 
ly beneficial  as  patterns.  They  show  the 
(paalities  ended  to  make  men  useful  and 
happy;  the  trials  of  humau  life  ennoble 
it,  if  rightly  met,  as  tire  purifies  gold. 
Noble  lives  display  difficulties  met  and 
overcome  and  dangers  avoided,  and  they 
afford  means  of  recalling  high  characters 
who  deserve  remembrance  in  statue, 
poem  or  biography. 

Local  history  is  agreeable  as  making 
known  more  of  persons  whose  names  have 
awakened  curiosity  and  admiration.  The 
better  traits  of  good  characters  are 
drawn   out   for   our   inspection   in    word- 

(14) 


portraits.  Wp  thus  Ixconio  like  com- 
pauujiis  of  tln'  JDVs  and  sufTerinKS  ainl 
tiiils  and  sncccsscs  of  tlio  virtuous,  fjalli- 
oriufj  iiifoiniation  from  sfaltored  sources, 
ns  many  lines  roinpii'ti'  tlie  face  skotclied 
tiv    llio  arlisl's  linish. 

'I'lio  inyiliicai  K;;yptian  deity  Iris  is 
represciiled  as  saying:  "None  anions 
mortals  has  hitherto  taken  off  my  veil;" 
but  the  historian  plucks  off  the  veil  of 
his  subject  to  show  tlic  true  fcatur(\s  to 
nil. 

A  great  point  in  Incal  history  is  that 
it  is  the  life  of  individuals. 

Henry  C.  Carey  says:  "The  greater 
the  variety  of  employment,  and  the 
greater  the  demand  for  intellectual  ef- 
fort, the  more  'dissimilar  become  the 
parts,  and  the  more  perfect  becomes  the 
whole.'' 

He  adds  that,  "Responsibility  before 
fjod  and  man  f,'rows  with  the  growtli  of 
individuality." 

Herein  man  is  raised  above  animals. 
I  would  add,  if  one  would  analyze  a  ma- 
chine he  must  take  it  to  pieces,  and  ex- 
amine its  parts  in  detail. 

Yinet  declares  that  "individuality  con- 
sists only  in  willing  to  be  self,  in  order 
to  be  something.  It  lies,  then,  in  the  will; 
this  may  be  seen  in  the  "I  wills"  of 
Christ. 

Its  development  is  seen  in  Henry  the 
Eighth,  Queen  Elizabeth,  Ivan  the  Ter- 
rible, of  Russia,  and  General  Jack.son 
and  President  Roosevelt,  in  a  better  way. 

The  despot  says  in  Latin  phrase  "SIC 
VOLS.  SIC  JUHEO.  STAT  PRO  RA- 
TI ONE  VOLUNTAS:"  "Thus  I  wish 
anil  command;  my  will  stands  in  place 
of  reason."  Ijoading  wills  arc  needful 
in  family,  church  and   State. 

So  Louis  the  Fourteenth,  of  France, 
boldly      declared:    "      LISTAT      CEST 

(15) 


MOI,"   "I   am  the  State." 

It  is  these  strong  wills  in  a  palace  or  a 
cottnge  or  in  a  family  circle  who  are 
remembered.  Their  houses  are  pointed 
out,  and  many  a  story  keeps  up  their 
memory  in  their  old  neighborhood,  and 
people  are  proud  of  reminding  others  that 
they  were  their  familiar  friends. 

In  Shakespeare's  play  of  Julius  Caesar, 
he  makes  Marc  Antony  say,  in  his  speech 
to  the  citizens  in  the  forum,  after  Caes- 
er's  murder  that  a  "hair  of  him"  will 
be  begged  by  men  for  memory  and  be- 
queather. 

"As  a  rich  legacy,  unto  their  issue." 

But  it  is  not  will  power  alone  which 
makes  a  man  interesting  in  local  his- 
tory, giving  him  influence  in  life,  and 
an  illustrious  memory  after  death;  but 
it  is  also  the  divine  character  reflected  iu 
the  acts  of  God's  children,  whom  the 
Holy  Scriptures  declare  to  be  "partakers 
of  the  Divine  Nature,"  ii  St.  Peter,  1:4. 

It  has  been  well  said  that  man  is  a 
centre  to  whom  influence  returns,  and 
as  the  dewdrop  reflects,  so  every  man 
may  reflect  the  Divine  ideal. 
'  So  a  Chrystortom,  an  Augustine,  or  a 
Whitefield  may  reflect  the  Christ  who 
dwells  in  them,  and  every  village  has  -i 
blessed  memory  of  a  saintly  man  or  wo- 
man, or  even  a  child,  who  was  a  very 
important  person  in  its  history. 

In  imperial  governments  the  individual 
life  seems  often  to  be  lost  in  that  of 
the  government,  units  are  drowned  in  tlic 
mass,  the  birth,  life  and  death  of  one 
person,  leaves  little  impress  on  the  pub- 
lic mind.  In  a  Republic  each  man  is  a 
king  who  makes  and  unmakes  rulers  ny 
his  powerful  vote,  and  he  must  be  con- 
sidered, and  in  wealth  and  business  the 
individual  may  stand  alone  the  holder  of 
an  important  government  office. 
(16) 


A  great  power  in  Scripliiri'  is  ils  .oii- 
stiint  narrutivcs  of  imlividiiiils,  \v!u>  move 
in  liviii};  piciuns  bffore  tnir  pyt-s,  iiinl 
almost  seem  to  be  our  conteiupornries,  wo 
rise  ;iii(l  fall,  and  rejoice  ;iinl  ^rii'v*' 
with  tliiin  as  if  they  were  oiir  iiciKhlii'rs 
anil   relatives  and   peeidiar  fiiends. 

Ulysses  in  Shakespeare's  "Troilus  and 
Cressida,"    exehiinis: 

"One  tdueli  of  nature  makes  the  whriie 
world  kin." 

Thus  we  listen  with  Adam  and  Eve  to 
the  birds'  son;:s  in  rarndise,  and  feel 
the  coid  winds,  as  we  talk  with  God. 
as  the  decliniiifT  sun  paints  the  sky  with 
{lolden  glory  in  ilie  new  bnin  world, 
where  angels  seem  at  home;  or  with 
Moses  tread  the  wilderness  or  worshii) 
on  the  Mount;  or  with  Elijah  hear  the 
small  still  voice  of  God,  after  the  tire 
and  the  earthipiake  have  proclaimed  His 
power.  With  St.  John  we  listen  to  Christ's 
words  on  earth,  or  wjilk  the  shore  of 
the  Aegean  Sea  on  the  rocky  isle  of  Pat- 
nios,   and   see   the  visions  of   Heaven. 

With  St,  Paul  we  stand  in  tdass-ic 
Athens,  and  behold  its  magnificent  tem- 
ples and  monuments,  and  listen  to  the 
Apostle's  burning  words  as  he  raises  the 
minds  of  men  from  a  dead  God  to  a 
living  Creator  and  a  loving  Redeemer  of 
men.  It  is  all  personal  and  individual, 
the  heart  of  man  beating  in  the  ages  in 
unison  with  the  heart  of  his  brother  man. 

No  wonder  that  myriads  of  Christ-an 
men  and  women  visit  the  Holy  Land  of 
Palestine  to  see  not  only  where  the  holy 
characters  of  Scripture  days  lived  and 
loved  and  suffered  and  died,  but  also 
where  the  "holy  fields"  lie,  on  which 
Christ  suffered  and  died,  of  which  King 
Henry  the  Fourth,  in  Shakespeare's  play 
bearing  his  name  say.s,  "Over  whose 
acres    walked    those   blessed    feet,    which 

(17) 


fourteen  hundred  years  aico  ^cre  nailM 
for  our  advantage  on  the  bitter  oross." 

These  local  histories  are  most  interest- 
ing and  exceedingly  vivid,  because  the 
very  dust  of  the  earth,  or  the  stones 
and  timber  of  the  houses,  and  the  hills 
and  the  mounlains  are  redolent  of  sacred 
memories  that  breathe  from  out  of  them. 

The  ancient  simple  and  plain  school 
house  at  Stratford  on  Avon  has  a  feeling 
beyond  that  of  desks  and  walls  as  the 
travelers  tries  when  in  it  to  recall  the 
boyhood  of  Shakespeare,  England's  great 
[loet,  and  the  poet  of  the  world,  while 
Trinity  Church,  with  its  shaded  walk 
and  sweet  stream,  and  its  chancel  W'ih 
its  bust  of  the  noble  teacher  of  men 
draws  thousands  of  feet  thither  as  the 
point    of    their    pilgrimage. 

The  Kev.  John  Watson  (Ian  MacLaren) 
has  made  the  old  Scotch  town  Drumtocty 
like  a  literary  shrine,  and  many  an  author 
and  poet  and  artist  and  bishop  and  gen- 
eral has  given  a  new  life  to  the  place  of 
his  birth  or  abode  or  great  deeds. 

It  is  a  great  pkt.sure  to  see  ourselves 
retiected  in  the  lives  of  others,  and  we 
may  learn  to  improve  ourselves  by  the 
biographies  of  the  holy  dead;  and  if  they 
dwelt  in  the  houses  of  our  own  town  and 
walked  its  streets  and  sleep  in  its  church- 
yards the  lessons  come  home  more  closely 
to  us  as  their  habitations  and  tombs  re- 
call to  us  their  departed  forms  and  en- 
during memories,  and  in  a  future  world 
we  may  behold  them,  and  perhaps  talk 
over  the  scenes  of  our  common,  earthly 
home. 

One  pleasant  feature  of  local  history  is 
that  of  children.  Every  family  has  a 
store  of  the  sayings  of  the  small  folks 
who  are  now  fathers  and  mothers.  Their 
readiness  to  plunge  into  things  concerning 
which  they  are  ignorant  and  their  misuse 

(18) 


of  loiii:  Words  \vhi<  li  ilicy  iln  mW  iiiiiltT- 
^»tllllcl  riiniisli  :iii  .■ibiiinliiiK'f  of  inntrri:il 
fi>r  null's  of  liliiiiilcrs  wliidi  slartlc  tin* 
lii>:irtM's  liy  siirpi-isc  which  is  sonnMiiiios 
the  cs.st'inc  of  uii. 

-Vxiiiii  I  lie  trouhit's  of  rhiltlreii  am 
puthi'tic,  I'spi'cinlly  :it  lli(>  dciilh  of 
pa  rents. 

I  ii.ivc  jusi  lifi'ti  rcailiii;:  ilir  loinhiiiK 
sloiy  of  I  111'  life  of  a  lialiy  lioy.  l-'ifly 
pa;:i's  of  iJiint  lontaiu  a  siictch  of  tlie 
iniiiiatnre  man. 

'rij<'  n.uiiiiiu'  of  a  child  is  an  era  in  its 
lift'  and  in  tliat  of  the  family. 

When  tlu'  tlower  is  cut  (h)wn  in  its 
early  bloom  the  play-rooin  is  a  holy  place 
to  the  mother,  and  the  childish  .sayiri^fs 
are  engraven  on  the  tleshly  tables  of  liPr 
heart. 

Even  before  babes  speak  their  laujihinK 
or  tearful  eyes  tell  stories  of  pain  and 
gladness. 

If  local  history  preserves  a  honse  for 
its  associaliuns,  a  favorite  animal  is 
often  deemed  worthy  of  historic  romeui- 
brauce. 

From  the  days  when  Alexander  the 
Great  built  a  city  after  the  death  of  his 
favorite  horse,  Bucephalus,  and  named  it 
with  his  name,  to  the  lime  the  literary 
Eufilish  leader.  Doctor  Samuel  Johnson, 
who  loved  his  cat,  Hodge,  animals  have 
played  an  important  part  in  human  fam- 
ilies. Children  deem  them  companions,  as 
well  as  playmates.  They  often  return  the 
affection,  but  lack  the  knowledge  of  their 
own  individuality  or  history. 

But,  to  return  to  individual  human  life, 
A  babe  is  interesting  because  of  its 
future.  Its  baptism,  sdnxd,  sports  and 
later  business  and  marriage  are  epochs  in 
its  history.  Trebonius,  Luther's  teacher, 
lifted  his  hat  to  his  pupils,  honoring  what 
they  niii;lit  be,  and  the  Latin  poet  Juvenal 
U9) 


wrote  of  tlip  reverence  due  to  the  hoy. 

Individual  history  is  important  not 
merely  to  the  man  but  to  his  family.  The 
stories  of  the  lives  of  American  emigrants 
would  probably  exceed  in  strangeness 
those  of  any  other  land  on  earth.  One 
distinguished  case  illustrates  this.  An- 
drew Carnegie  comes  to  the  United  States 
as  a  very  poor  Scotch  boy,  and  is  now 
distributing  his  wealth  generously  by  mil- 
lions as  a  king.  The  building  in  which  wo 
are  now  met  will  link  his  name  witli 
Frankford  for  generations. 

So    important    are    family    interests    in 

historic   biographies   now    that    the    His- 

Ancestral  houses  are  more  striking.  In 
riding  you  see  an  old  chimney  standing 
in  u  field.  The  house  was  burned  long 
ago.  You  may  imagine  that  once  it  stood 
just  complete  in  its  bright  paint  and  well- 
linished  rooms,  liuilt  for  a  bride  and 
groom,  then  followed  the  births  and 
deaths,  the  marriages  and  burials,  and 
songs  and  lamentations  from  children  and 
grown  people,  as  some,  like  Cowper,  look- 
ed with  pain  on  the  picture  of  a  dead 
mother  and  others  exulted  in  childish 
sports.  Imagination  may  be  a  true 
teacher. 

A  little  ruined  house  in  Byberry,  near 
Samm's  Corner,  is  stjied  "The  Flickers' 
Nest,"  because  families  entered  and  left 
it  rapidly  as  the  birds.  A  few  miles  away 
is  the  find  old  Growden  mansion,  two 
centuries  old. 

Could  we  enter  the  simple  Scotch  cot- 
tage where  Burns"  devout  uncle  solemnly 
conducted  his  family  worship,  not  know- 
ing that  in  the  poem  of  "The  Cottar's 
Saturday  Night"  thousands  would  follow 
his  leading  in  sacred  worship,  it  would, 
indeed,    be    holy    ground,    as    beam    and 

(20) 


raftpr,  ns  it  wt  ro,  still  spomod  to  echo  tlie 
\\'nrd  i>r  (Iixl  tluTO  rend,  and  the  cariifst. 
prayer  that  followed  it.  Tlii.s  local  sieiu- 
lias  hoeome  a  worldwide  history. 

It  was  ciiM-e  my  Krenl  privilege  In  iliiie 
with  tlir  \\':isiiiiij;toii  family,  in  .Momil 
^'ern(lll.  Can  the  scene  ever  he  fori;olteii, 
and  tliMl  Kreat  key  of  the  Haslile  show- 
inu'  al  a  glance  the  difference  between 
I''raii(e  in  its  days  of  cruelty  and  free 
America  in  that  pictni'e  of  i»eace  in  that 
ilhisiri.ius  mansion  of  \Vasliin};ton  on  the 
<iniet  hanks  of  the  Potomac V 

I>nt  every  honse,  with  its  jironnds,  is 
alive  with  associations  to  those  who  call 
ii    hiinit». 

Snch  places  have  a  donhle  interest 
when  linked  v>'ith  a  name  that  is  great, 
even  in  a  family  history.  It  is  strong 
and  honest  character  which  {lives  this 
{)re-eminence.  This  is  true  in  church  and 
State. 

The  Iti'v.  Dr.  Samnd  S.  Marcpiis,  in  a 
sermon  on  the  death  of  Bishop  Thomas 
Freilcrick  Davies,  of  Michigan,  formerly 
rector  of  St.  Peter's  Chnrch,  I'hiladelphia, 
affirmed  that  the  church  does  not  need 
wealth,  or  "great  cathedrals  alone,"  but: 
"great  characters;"  it  is  not  so  mnch 
"machinery  and  organization"  as  '"iwr- 
sonality,  through  life  to  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven,  which  is  to  be  established  on 
this  earth,"  and,  iu  need,  the  Church 
cries  to  God  for  a  man  capable  of  meet- 
ing it."  The  texts  of  the  sermon  were 
St.  John  i,  <;,  "There  was  a  man  sent 
from  God,"  and  Hebrews  xi,  4,  "He  be- 
ing dead  yet  spcaketh." 

Sncb  men  make  history  and  stand  out 
as  mountain  tops  in  the  scenery,  en- 
nobling the  neighborhood  and  family  and 
town. 

As  the  infant's  history  becomes  import- 
ant in   after  days,  so  is  it   with  a   town. 

(21) 


Rome  and  London  and  New  York  were 
once  villages. 

In  A.  D.  1837  Chicago  had  4170  in- 
haliitants.  Now  this  site  of  the  old  Fort 
Dearborn  loolcs  down  on  Philadelphia, 
having  stolen  the  second  place  in  this 
land,  as  a  pert  damsel  might  exult  in  get- 
ting ahead  of  its  grandmother.  Philadel- 
phia should  stretch  out  her  arms  to  the 
border  of  Delaware  State,  bej-ond  Ches- 
ter, which  was  once  thought  of  as  the  site 
of  the  future  metropolis  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  increase  her  population. 

Mnny  years  ago,  when  I  was  staying  in 
Chicago  I  went  twenty  miles  out  of  the 
youthful  and  ambitious  city  to  a  proposed 
subtirban  point,  and  an  editor  of  a  Chi- 
cago paper  informed  us  that  they  were 
making  history,  and  they  have  made  it 
very  rnpidly  since  then.  A  large  part  of 
this  marvelous  growth  has  been  in  the 
lifetime  of  present  individuals.  The 
world  perhaps  never  before  .saw  such  a 
growth,  except  where  kings  could  com- 
mand the  labor  of  captives  or  slaves. 

We,  as  individuals,  should  strive  to  be 
making  a  Avorthy  local  history  for  our- 
selves and  our  town,  which  may  leave  a 
notcw(jrihy  mark  when  we  are  gone  from 
the  scenes  of  our  earthly  existence. 

In  fastening  the  history  of  persons, 
a.iUM-dotes  of  private  life  and  acts  in  un- 
dress uniform  among  our  friends  and 
families  are  needful  to  exhibit  true 
character.  When  men  act  in  public  the.v 
are,  even  if  unconsciously,  often  some- 
what unnatural  as  knowing  that  they  are 
playing  a  part.  When  the  negro  minstrel 
may  sing,  "White  folks,  is  you  looking  at 
me?"  he  only  expresses  wlmt  is  in  the 
white  man's  mind  on  a  higher  stage. 

The  simple  anecdote,  specially  concern- 
ing youthful  years,  takes  off  the  disguise 
in  showing  the  true  man  or  won  an. 

(22) 


Tlu>  wicked  Romaii  Enipomr  Norn, 
killiiij:  flii's  lis  a  liny,  was  a  pri'ciirsf  i»f 
the  (li'SpoL  killing  nun  as  a!i  arbilrary 
rulor. 

'I'lit'  Prinfoss  Vii'toria  aciiilt-ntally 
founil  in  an  Kn^'lish  liislory  thai  slu'  was 
to  lie  llu'  next  heir  of  Kn;.'lanirs  thnino, 
flnd  said  very  earni'Stly  lo  in-i-  governess, 
'•Tli.n  I  will  \h'  good."  Sl.f  well  fuHilled 
licr  iirnmise. 

liislmi)  White.  fi>r  many  a  year  the 
Presiding  Bishoi)  <>f  the  Anicriean  Epis- 
copal Clmreh,  nsed  to  preach  in  his  boy- 
liiiod  to  a  little  Quaker  girl  as  a  sole 
auditor  telling  her  to  be  good.  Here 
was  the  man   in   the   buy. 

The  story  of  i'ox  telling  Peiin  to  wear 
his  sword  as  long  as  he  could,  and  Penn 
soon  dropping  its  use  characterizes  the 
man.  This  in  early  life  Glted  his  later 
peaceful  course. 

Thus,  local  hisl(jry,  being  personaJ  his- 
tory, gives  many  a  lesson,  and  may  the 
good  work  of  the  young  Historical  So- 
ciety of  Frankford  find  many  to  draw 
out  the  lesson.s  of  the  neighborhood  to 
benefit  coming  generations. 

Dr.  Richard  C.  Allen,  Lawyers  Duffield, 
and  George  S.  Clark,  Messrs.  Carson, 
William  Hagarman,  Walter  Brinton.  I'ro- 
fessor  Worrell  and  Miss  Helen  Burns 
have  aided  the  work  of  this  young  so- 
ciety.   May  many  follow  iu  their  train. 


(23) 


Muster  Roll. 

(Fourth   Company.) 
Frankford   Volunteer   Artillerists. 


Copied  from  "A  History  of  Philadelphia" 
by    Daniel    Bowen.      Published    18o9. 

"Including  the  names  of  over  two  thou- 
sand patriotic  otHcers  and  citizen  sol- 
diers Avho  volunteered  their  services  in 
defense  of  this  city,  when  threatened  by 
an  hostile  army." 

In  1812,  13  and  14. 


Paper  presented  by  Mr.   T.  Worcester 
Worrell. 


Bela  Badger,  Captain. 
Robert   Whitaker,   First   Lieutenant. 
Washington   Doak,   Second   Lieutenant. 
John    Shallcross,   Third   Lieutenant. 


Sergeants. 
1.  James  F.  Thomas4  Daniel  Teese 

2  Gardner  Fnlt  m     5  John   F.   Gilbert 

3  John  N.  Clark 

Corporals. 

1  Reyfus  Tyler  4  James  Linton 

2  Robert   Neff  5  Joseph  Baldwin 

3  Levi  K.  Dorer 

William    N.    Lee,    quarter    master    ser- 
geant. 

(24^ 


Privates. 
Jacob    r.oilinc  'Ihoiiias  Cliute 


John    Hurk 
Willii-iiu  Hiirt'or 
Josojili    r.iiiiiiT 
.Tnliii   ISiiriliiiau 

IvUdnlpll     MlU'kUS 

Samuel    ('diirtiioy 
fJcor^rt'  ('aiiolipr 
James   IlamiltDU 
George     Hart 
Ileiijamin   Jenkins 
Isaai-  Jones 
Sani'l  Landeiiberger  (Jeorjie  Fisiier 
Wm.    Lanilenherger    Conraii     I'ries 


Joseph    Coon 
Christopher  Coon 
Daniel    Clark 
.lacoh  Delany 
Samuel    Denny 
I'raneis   Doran 

Jonathan   Sdioch 
Joseph   Schoch 
Chamlt'rl'n  Sheppard 
Ailam  Krlten 


James   Lear 
Geor;;e    Merkle 
Joseph    Marsiiall 
James   Miller 
r>enjaniin    .Matlork 
J<.lin  McMnllin 
John   Newcamp 
Thomas  Potts 
Joseph   Peunel 
Charles   Itestiue 
George   Robinson 
James   Kees 
Robert  Soly 
Ileury  D.  Sparks 
Michael  Shetzline 


David    Frazor 
John    (Jray 
Penj.  Hamilton 
Jacob    Harper 
(Jeorj;e   Haines 
Henry  Phillips 
Aaron   Palmer 
John    Peters 
Chas.  E.  Qnicksall 
(ieorye  Horer 
Joseph   Rorer 
John    Rorer 
Michael   Rctzer 
Moses  Thomas 
William   Thomas 
Paul   Vannakin 


Jos.   ^r.    Sanderson 

William    Shallcrost.    Stephen  Worrel 

Lawrence    Seates       Isaiah    Worrel 

Isaac  W.  Sparks 

Henry  Schoch 

Benjamin    Scott 


Rudoli)h    Worrel 
Hawly   Worrel 
Giles    Williams 


Artillery    Drivers. 
.John    Clendeninp        Jacob  Ruiral 
Arthur  Ilerringtou    Nicholas   Uber 


(25) 


A  Glance  at  the  Social  and 

Business  Life  of 

Frankford 

54  Years  Ago. 
Compiled    from    advertisements    in    the 
Frankford  Herald,  July  23,   1853. 

Charles  Murphy  was  the  editor  and 
proprietor.  Sydney  Deraing,  agent.  Read 
before  the  Historical  Society,  March  0, 
1906. 


In  Frankford  on  the  10th  inst.,  lSr)3, 
at  the  Episcopal  Church,  by  the  Rev. 
George  Sheetz,  Mr.  Joseph  Thwaite  to 
Miss  Amanda  Bateman. 

Providence  permitting,  the  re-opening 
of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Frankford,  will 
take  place  Sabbath  next  the  24th  inst. 
Service  at  10  A.  M.  by  Re-*-.  F.  Hodgson, 
D.  D.;  3  P.  M.,  Dr.  Ryan;  7.30,  Rev. 
T.  E.  Bond,  Br.,  of  New  York. 

Luther  B.  Guernsey,  attorney  and 
councillor  at  law.  Offices,  79  INIain  st.. 
Frankford,  and  385  Arch  street,  above 
Tenth  street,  Philadelphia. 

I.  B.  Roberts,  organ  builder,  Frank- 
ford. Orders  can  be  left  at  store  of  C.  C. 
Oram,  Main   street. 

G.  A.  Schumaker  has  removed  his 
store  to  Romain  Block,  second  door  lie- 
low  Mullen's  Eagle  Hotel.  He  keeps  on 
hand  fashionable  paper  hangings,  win- 
dow curtains,  and  fire  board  screens  of 
various  sizes  and  prices. 

(26) 


Clorions  nowsl  AimlhcM-  arrival  of  an 
entirely  lu-w  niul  fiisliioimhle  stock  of 
spring  and  suiiinior  ilotliin;,',  nt  choii]) 
clotliing  store  of  Joseph  Stern,  Uomain 
Block,   Slain   street,    Fiankfonl. 

Hospital  of  tlic  Protestant  Episcopal 
Cliurch,  corner  I'roiit  street  and  Ilnnt- 
in;i(loii  street,  Kensinuion.  Persons  re- 
ceived without  reference  to  color  or  creed. 
Pay  patients  received  for  !i!2.r)0  per  week. 
Tliey  can  have  here  the  licst  medical 
attendance  and  country  air.  Access  from 
Frankford  is  to  be  had  through  tlie  old 
Front  street  road,  turning  to  tlie  right 
after  crossing  the  Kcading  Pailroad 
bridge. 

Co-patnership.  The  undersigned  hav- 
ing entered  into  co-pa rtnei-ship,  will  con- 
tinue the  old  established  select  school, 
herelofore  kept  by  S.  M.  ^lurphy  and 
daughters,  at  158  Main  street,  Frankford, 
under  the  tirm  of  L.  Murphy  and  !•>.  K. 
Eisenbrey.  School  will  commence  on  Fifth 
day,  Third  month,  lSo3.  Letitia  Murphy, 
Elizabeth  S.  Eisenbrey. 

Dentist.  Dr.  .1.  O.  Blythe.  surgeon 
dentist,  offers  his  professional  services 
to  the  cilizi'us  of  Frankford.  Otiice  and 
residence  at  Mrs.  Strong's,  No.  130  Main 
street,  Frankford.  Keference — Rev.  Jas. 
Cunningham. 

Executor's  Notice.— All  persons  indebt- 
ed to  the  estate  of  Samuel  McMullen, 
late  of  the  Borough  of  Frankford.  are 
reiiuested  to  make  immediate  payment. 
A.  P..  Windner,  executor. 

Valuable  lots  for  sale  on  Orthodox 
street:  will  be  sold  if  applied  for  soon; 
ten  lots  within  400  feet  of  Frankford 
creek.  A  large  wharf  has  been  erected  at 
the  foot  of  Orthodox  street,  and  the 
street  is  being  graded,  preparatory  to 
being  planked,  from  the  creek  to  Tacony 

(27) 


road.    Applj-  immediately.      Levi  Fowlk- 
rod,    No.   5   Remain   Block. 

Thomas  Hutchinson,  daugerreotypist. 
rictui-L's  in  morocco  cases,  one  dollar,  and 
upwards.  Hours  for  cliildren  in  clear 
weather,  from  9  to  12.  N.  B.— In  dress, 
avoid  white,  pink,  light  Idue.  Perfect 
stillness  is  required  while  sitting;  yet 
winking  when  necessary,  does  not  injure 
a  picture. 

Only  true  portrait  of  Washington,  just 
published  by  George  W.  Childs,  north- 
west corner  of  Fifth  and  Arch  streets, 
Philadelphia. 

Coal,  wood  and  sand  wharf  of  A.  G. 
Rowland  &:  Co.  A.  G.  Rowland,  Thomas 
F.  Overington. 

D.  C.  Collins  &  Co.,  daugereotypists, 
100  Chestnut  street,  above  Third  street. 
Poem — 

THE  DEATH  OF  THE  ROSES. 

The   last   rose  of  summer  has  faded   'tis 
true, 
But  its  fragrance  and  beauty   we  will 
not  forget; 
They  will  live  in  our  souls  all  the  long 
winter  through. 
Like  a  twilight  that  marks  where  the 
sun  has  just  set. 
Our  friends,   too,   will  fade,   and   as   cer- 
tainly   fall; 
As   the   roses   that  whiten   in   autumn's 
cold   breath ; 
Then    let    us   secure    of    the    worshipped 
ones  all 
What  science  can  save  from  the  ruins 
of  death. 

Blood's  Despatch  delivers  letters 
throughout  the  city  and  districts.  Over 
four  hundred  box  stations  in  a  circuit 
of  twelve  miles.  Five  deliveries  daily 
to  the  post  office,  and  four  throughout  the 
city;  at  one  cent  each  letter  pre-paid. 

(28) 


S.  C.  Markle,  furnishing  uudertakcr. 
No.  178  iluin  street,  Fraukford,  informs 
tLe  citizens  of  the  boron^li  and  vicinity 
tliat  lie  is  prepared  to  attend  funerals 
at  llie  shortest  ootice.  He  has  also  a 
ina;;nificent  hearse,  with  whicli  lie  at- 
tends all   funerals  entrusted   to  his  care. 

Edward  A.  Lee  informs  the  residents 
of  l'"rankfurd  lliat  he  has  entered  upon 
the  undertaking  business.  All  orders  to 
Ite  left  at  his  residence,  Paul  street, 
three  doors  above  the  Methodist  Church. 
N.  B. — A  splendid  hearse  will  be  furnish- 
vd  and  any  desirable  number  tjf  con- 
veyances. 

Notice,  Frankford,  Nov.  L'G,  1852.  To 
all  whom  it  may  concern:  Notice  is 
hereby  given  that  bounty  land  warrants 
have  been  issued  by  the  Commissioners 
of  Pensions  at  Washington  for  forty 
acres  each  to  Gardener  Fulton  and  Ru- 
<l<>ll)h  Buckius,  and  respectively  uumber- 
ckI  to,  282  and  70,  28:5,  which  war- 
rants were  mailed  to  me  as  their  agent,  at 
this  place,  from  the  Department  at  Wash- 
ington on  the  2;{d  of  August,  last,  but 
have  not  yet  come  into  my  possession.  I 
have  entered  a  caveat  in  the  general 
land  office  to  prevent  the  issuing  of  a 
patent  to  fraudulent  claimers.  I  hereby 
give  notice  that  I  intend  to  apply  to 
the  proper  DeiJartmcnt  for  a  duplicate 
of  said  warrants.  I  do  not  imagine  that 
fraud  exists  in  my  non  reception  of  them, 
but  that  the  delinquency  is  attributable 
to  some  unintcntioncd  mistake  in  the 
postal  arrangements  of  tlie  Government. 
Thomas  W.  Dutlield,  agent  for  Gardener 
Fulton  and  Rudolph  Buckius. 

Amos  Thori»  has  removed  to  his  new 
steam  merchant  and  grist  mill  on  Tacony 
street,  opposite  Briggs  &  Co.'s  print 
work. 

(29^ 


Liver  complfiint,  jftnncHce  and  dyspep- 
sia. Dr,  Hofflaud's  celebrated  German 
Bitters    at    R.    Walmsley's,    Frankford. 

Removed.  James  Burns'  Drug  Store 
has  removed  to  '  1151/2  Main  street, 
Franliford,  nine  doors  above  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  same  side.  Medicines 
selected  from  best  stock  market  affords. 

Flour,  feed  and  lumber.  J.  C.  Thomp- 
son, commission  merchant,  >^y^  North 
Wharves,   Philadelphia. 

Foulkrod  &  Taylor,  successors  to  Ja- 
cob Lester,  carpentei's  and  builders,  Id- 
/  form  the  public  they  have  secured  the 
services  of  competent  workmen  and  are 
prepared  to  enter  into  building  to  any 
extent  that  the  necessity  of  the  commun- 
ity may  require.  Hedge  street,  opposite 
Swedenborgiau    Church. 

Summer  clothing.  Now  is  the  time 
for  summer  clothing.  E.  A.  Shallcrosss, 
Second  street,  is  the  very  man  to  call 
and  see  before  you  purchase  elsewhere. 

Lost— On  Fourth  of  July,  in  going  from 
Cedar  Hill  Cemetery,  down  Main  street 
to  upper  end  of  Paul,  down  Paul  to 
Sellers,  through  Sellers  to  Main,  down 
Main  to  Oram's  store,  a  black  silk  man- 
tilla, trimmed  with  lace.  Upon  leaving 
the  same  at  Oram's  store,  the  finder  will 
be  suitably  rewarded. 

$2  reward.  Lost  on  ItUh  inst.,  a  baker's 
account  book.  Leather  back,  tied  with 
i-ed  string.  Writing  in  German.  Any 
person  leaving  said  book  at  corner  of 
Main  and  Sellers  streets,  will  receive 
the   above  reward.    Francis   Schlater. 

For  Sale— A  valuable  business  stand  in 
the  Borough  of  F'raukford  at  the  east 
corner  of  Main  and  Sellers  streets.  In- 
quire of  Henry  Rigler,  Paul  street,  sec- 
ond door  above  Oxford  street. 

(30) 


The  uii(lorsi{jiu'(l  will  ho  a  ciimlicliUe 
ftir  County  'I'Ti-asiiror,  if  iiDiniiiiiUMl,  by 
llif  Wliitc,  City  and  County  Conl'eieuce, 
.IdIiu    -M.    Coleman. 

Charles  C.  Oram,  Draper  and  Taylor, 
ISO    Main   street,   Fraukford. 

Coal  and  wood  wharf,  on  I'rooUs'  land- 
ing.    W.     W.     KogLTS. 

Miss  K.  and  J.  K.  Cooper,  fashionable 
millinery  and  dressmakiuj;  establishment, 
Paul  street,  below  Green,  Krankford.  ^V 
new  millinery,  capmakinj;  and  dress- 
making establishmeut. 

Giirdeuing— Edward  li.  Speuce,  garden- 
er, tlurist,  Oxford  street,  near  Knight's 
and  \'an  Kirk's  factory.  Attends  to 
laying  out  grounds  and  keeping  iu  order 
gardens  and  attends  geuerally  to  the 
business  of   gardener  and   dorist. 

Fraukford  line  of  onmibuses,  J.  Van 
Brunt,  proprietor.  First  touch  leaves 
Fraukford  at  5.30  A.  M.  and  Philadelphia 
7  A.  M.  Ueturning  last  coatch  leaves 
Fraukford  7  P.  M.  aud  Philadelphia  at 
S.30.  The  night  line  leaves  I'hiladelphia 
on  Saturdaj-  uight  ouly  at  1-  o'cloel. 
precisely. 

Fraukford  and  Philadelphia  Expres.s 
Old  Line.  Th(>  subscriber  informs  his 
friends  ntul  the  i>iii)iic  geuerally  that  he 
has  purchased  the  express  line  of  Mr. 
Ileury  Ileiser.  and  intends  running  it 
between  Fraukford  aud  IMiiladelphia.  In 
Fraukford  orders  can  be  left  at  the  drug 
stores  of  Gillianis.  Burns  and  Walmsley, 
at  the  Heralil  I'.uiidiii;.',  and  at  tiie  hotel- 
of  Messrs.  Thdiiitiin  and  .Mullen,  Dan 
Lennons,  and  C.  Cooper's  counting  house. 
David  Rorer,  SI  Main  street,  opposite 
Episcopal  Church. 

Ice    cream.  Imuj.    IJogers,    Komaii 

Block,    is    prepared    to    serve    ice    cream 
at    the   shortest   notice. 

(31 ) 


Shaviug  and  haircntting.  The  Sub- 
scriber informs  the  citizens  that  be  has 
opened  a  shaving  saloon  on  Main  street, 
below   Church.    John    Delany. 

Pump  and  well  digging.  The  Subscrib- 
er, George  Brook,  has  purchased  the 
good  will  and  fixtures  of  Isaac  Chipman 
and  Carter  &  Brook,  Main  street,  oppo- 
site Adams  street. 

Thomas  Herbert,  fashionable  boot  and 
shoe  store,  138  Main  street,  Frankford. 

For  Sale— Two-story  frame  dwelling, 
X.  W.  side  Elizabeth  street,  near  Pine, 
and  brick  dwelling,  N.  E.  side  of  Unity 
street,  near  Franklin.  Isaac  Shallcross, 
Lyceum  Building. 

Real  Estate.  Borough  of  White  Hall 
for  sale  by  James  Pratt. 

Painting  and  glazing,  by  Mahlon  Mur- 
phy, 151  Main  street,  Frankford. 

Secure  the  shade,  ere  the  substance 
fades.     D  Colhns,  daguereotypist. 

Building  lots  for  sale.  Willow,  Cherry, 
Foulkrod,  Harrison  and  Charles  streets, 
in  Borough  of  Frankford.  Charles  Mur- 
phy. 

Building  stone  for  sale  at  quarry,  near 
Bridesburg  road.  Apply  at  iron  works 
of  Walker  Lehman  &  Co.,  or  at  resi- 
dence of  Charles  Murphy. 

To  the  afflicted:  W.  T.  Wright's  care- 
fully selected  assortment  of  family  medi- 
cines, warranted  genuine,  at  83  Main 
street,  Frankford,  opposite  Gen.  Pike 
Hotel,  among  which  are  the  following: 
Wright's  Indian  Vegetable  Pills,  Mor- 
rison's Indian  Vegetable  Pills,  Woomel's 
Superior  Chinese  Cement,  Sands'  Sarsa- 
parilla,  Dr.  Libby  Vegetable  Life  Pills, 
Better's  Chronic  Pills,  Dr.  Herman's 
Poor  Man's  Plaster,  Cantrell's  Ague 
Mixture. 

(32) 


T.ycciiin  TTull.  l^'ruiikford,  SamirDnl's 
CclL'hratcil  ('(jiiu):iiiy,  N'ew  Orleans  Opera 
Troupe  will  appear  at  the  above  liall 
Saturday  eveuiii;;,  July  '23,  1853.  Siguor 
F()<liel,  the  gnat  violinist,  will  appear. 
11.  II.  Ilitor,  till'  great  c'hami)ic>n  dancer: 
Saufnrd,  wiili  Shakespearean  readings; 
ui'w  songs,  sung  by  Collins,  Ilaynor, 
Lynch  and  Kavnnagh.    Tickets,  2.")  cents. 


,33) 


Reminiscences  of 
Frankford. 

Between    1830- 1845. 


Conti'ilnited    by    Miss    Mary    P.    Allen- 
Read  iu  Two   Parts  at  Meeliugs  of 
the  Society  Held  in  IDOG. 


The  rural  condition  of  Prankford  about 
1830  can  be  illustrated  by  describing  an 
old  colored  woman  known  as  Auntie 
Weldon  who  in  the  Spring  of  the  year 
took  her  stand  on  the  Main  street,  iu 
front  of  what  every  one  called  •"the  red 
l)«rn  lot."  On  a  small  table  about  three 
feet  square  she  displayed  her  wares,  a 
few  cakes  of  her  own  baking,  and  what 
I  distinctly  recall,  bunches  of  oxheart 
cherries  which  she  sold  for  one  cent 
each.  Each  bunch  contained  six  cherries, 
and  I  suppose  were  the  fruit  of  a  cherry 
tree  iu  her  garden.  She  wore  on  her 
head  a  long  silk  bonnet  similar  to  those 
worn  by  Friends,  and  across  her  bosom 
a  kerchief,  pinned  with  great  exactness. 

The  Red  Barn  lot  lay  between  the 
streets  now  called  Arrott  and  Overington 
streets.  A  i-ow  of  Lombardy  poplars 
grew  along  the  side  walk  and  stood  iu 
stately  silence.  At  that  time  another  row 
of  Lombardy  poplars  stood  on  the  west 
side  of  Main  street  between  Harrison  and 
Dyre  streets.  The  last  of  these  trees  dis- 
appeared only  a  few  years  ago. 

The  quiet  of  that  period  was  iu  great 
contrast  with  the  noise  of  the  present  time. 

One  of  the  weekly  events  was  the  pas- 
sage  of   droves    of      cattle      through    the 

(34) 


town.  1(  \\:is  siiiil  llicy  wrn^  oil  llii-ir 
way  lo  Ni'w  York  lo  hi-  slnii^ililorol. 
Tliey  tilled  (lie  street  from  curl)  to  curb, 
uml  terrilied  simmII  cliildron. 

At  ticil  time  Main  stucot  was  a  turn- 
piko.  At  o(|iial  distances  alnu};  the  street 
I'ould  I)e  seen  oldont;  piles  of  broken 
st(»ne,  jilared  there  to  be  broken  np  in 
small  pieces  to  npair  liie  (nrnpike.  Most 
of  this  work  was  dune  by  an  idd  man 
named  Timothy  Hritte.  Ills  calling  was 
an  humble  one.  but  he  gave  it  dignity,  by 
the  thoroughness  and  faithfulness  with 
which  he  performed  the  work. 

All  the  stores  or  shops  on  Main  street 
at  th.it  time  have  gone  out  of  existence 
with  the  exce[)tion  of  Oram's,  wliich  is 
still  carried  on  by  the  widow  and  daugh- 
ters of  Charles  Oram;  and  one  at  the 
lower  end  of  I'rai  kford  which  in  those 
day.s  was  known  as  ".lolinny  Axe's." 
The  latter  was  a  kind  of  Taxidermist 
establishment.  Powder  and  shot  were 
sold  hero,  and  .ibout  the  Fourth  of  .Tiily 
fire  crackers  and  other  fire  works  which 
Mr.  Axe  made  hims(df.  This  store  is 
still  carried  on  by  Edward  Axe,  .son  of 
the  Old   proprietor. 

Letters  in  those  days  were  distributed 
by  private  cairiers.  .John  Deal  was 
Postmaster.  He  iivod  ami  hail  the  Post 
Office  in  a  frame  house  ou  Main  street 
below    Komaiii  block. 

Joseph  Watson  delivered  all  the 
letters  in  l'>ankfoid.  He  carried  them 
in  his  high  topped  hat.  About  six 
o'clock  in  the  evening  he  called  at  the 
houses  of  those  who  were  lucky  enough 
to  receive  a  letter.  He  sat  down  and 
asked  for  a  candle,  took  off  his  hat,  and 
rummaged  for  the  precious  document. 
Two  cents  was  the  price  paid  to  Mr. 
Watson  for  ilelirering  each  letter.  Post- 
age was   not   prepaid   and  cost  five  cents 

(35) 


a  letter.  A  letter  or  any  sealed  article 
cost  the  receiver  seven  cents.  Mr.  Wat- 
sou  also  carried  on  shoemaking  and  he 
was  for  many  years  sexton  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church.  Some  of  his  de- 
scendents   still   live  in   Frankford. 

A  small  Sunday  School  was  carried 
on  at  Rocky  Hill  by  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Frankford,  of  which,  at 
that  time,  the  Rev.  William  Howard 
was  pastor.  It  was  held  in  a  little  house 
which  stood  back  from  the  road,  near 
the  site  now  occupied  by  the  car  barns 
of  the  Philadelphia  Traction  Company. 
Peter  Slaughter  was  the  superintendent. 
The  seats  were  low  benches  without 
backs.  The  room  held  about  fifteen 
children.  The  Sunday  School  library 
consisted  of  many  little  paper  backed 
books  about  three  inches  wide  and  five 
long.  A  few  of  the  books  which  had 
board  backs  were  considered  very  prec- 
ious. One  of  them,  "The  Shepherd  of 
Salisbury  Plain,"  by  Hannah  More,  was 
read  with  great  delight  by  parents,  as 
well  as  children. 

There  were  but  few  diversions  in  those 
days,  the  great  summer  outing  being  a 
trip  to  Laurel  Hill.  A  stage  coach  en- 
gaged for  the  occasion  went  around  town- 
at  one  P.  M.  and  gathered  up  the  persons 
fortunate  enough  to  have  secured  seats. 
Luncheons  prepared  in  the  morning  were 
carried  in  baskets,  as  in  those  days  the 
eating  of  luncheon  was  allowed  in  the 
cemetery.  What  good  humored  crowd- 
ing there  was  to  make  room  for  every 
one,  old  and  young!  There  was  no  selfish 
holding  of  seats.  Everyone  was  too 
happy  for   selfishness. 

About  the  same  time  it  became  the 
fashion  to  make  up  parties  to  go  to 
Girard  College,  yet  in  an  unfinished  con- 
dition,   only    the    Greek    Temple    having 

(36) 


liooii  coniplt>tO(I.  'I'lif  roiuark  "wluit  <'X- 
travaKanco,"  was  lu'anl  on  all  sides,  tlip 
visitors  not  kiiowiim  tliat  it  was  Imiir 
in  aooordanco  with  the  fsincial  iliro(^- 
tioiis  nf  till'  iri'i'al    fiimiilcr. 

Ill  tlu'  year  1S4."  ilic  nation  was  rall(>il 
to  mourn  the  death  of  Andrew  Jackson, 
the  groat  General  who  won  the  battle 
of  New  Orleans,  ami  ex-President  of 
the  T''nited  States.  Sham  funerals 
were  held  all  over  the  eonntry.  I'liiladel- 
phin  was  not  behind  in  showing  rever- 
ence for  the  great  hero.  Stages  ran 
from  Frankford  to  the  city,  but  as  they 

could  not  carry  all  the  people,  many 
were  obliged  to  walk. 

profilers  sent  their  children  hoping  the 
event  would  plant  love  for  their  country, 
and  patriotism,  in  their  young  hearts. 
A  little  girl  went  to  see  the  funeral  pro- 
cession in  company  with  older  persons. 
They  walked  all  the  way  to  and  from 
the  city.  Silk  badges  were  given  out 
along  the  streets.  The  child  received  one. 
which    has    been    preserved,    and    though 

worn  with  age  is  invaluable  to  the  owner. 
I  should  like  to  call  attention  to  the  in- 
scription printed  on  the  badge,  which 
also  contained  a  portrait  of  General 
■Jackson.  The  inscription  is  as  follows: 
"General  Andrew  Jackson,  Born  Marcli 
1.").  lir.T.  Died  June  S,  18-i.".  A  nation 
jMourns  a  liero  gone. 

In    honor's  shroud,    our   hero    lies, 

In  glory  pure  as  cloudle.ss  skies; 

And    while    Dear    Freedom    lights    her 

flame. 
Her  sons  shall  halo  .Jackson's  name." 
iliss  Allen  has  presented  the  badge  to 
the   Historical   Society. 


(37 


I 


Papers   Read 


BEFORE    THE 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

of  Frankford. 


Vol.  1.       No.  4 


REPRINTED    FROM 

"THE   FRANKFORD   G.\ZETTE  " 

190T. 


CONTENTS 


Description  o[  the  Old  Main  Street 

oE  Frankford,  65  Years  Ago,  -  Page     1. 

(By  Dr.  Wui.  B.   Dixon.) 

Henry  Waddy    -----      Page  21. 

(By  Guernsey  A.  Hallowell.) 

Minutes  of  Meeting  held 

May  21st.  1907  -  -  -  Page   27. 


Oescription  of  tlie  Old  Main 

Street  of  Frankford,  65 

Years  Ago. 

(By   Dr.   Wiu.  H.   Diion.) 

In  closing  my  last  paiior  1  (k'sire  to 
acknowleilge  my  indebtedness  to  one  who 
has  been  an  encyclopedia  to  me  from  the 
time  I  commenced  the  fonrtb  paper,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  fifth  or  last  paper. 

I  refer  to  ^Irs.  Dixon,  and  am  free  to 
say  that  I  could  not  have  carried  out 
my  contract  -without  her  assistance. 
While  I  was  writing  of  Main  street,  be- 
low Unity  street,  1  had  to  rely  mostly 
on  my  memory,  but  above  Unity  street 
I  would  have  been  almost  swamped 
without  her  aid,  and  in  writing  this,  the 
last  paper,  she  has  been  my  safe  de- 
pendence. 

Having  been  born  within  a  stone's 
throw  of  this  building,  and  living  all  her 
life  within  sight  of  the  house  she  was 
born  in,  and  iiaving  a  good  memory,  her 
assistance  was  invaluable  and  reliable. 
And  more  than  that  she  had  the  advan- 
tage of  having  heard  her  parents  often 
talk  of  Frankford  in  its  earlier  days, 
antidatiug  her  birth,  and  thereby 
enabling  me  to  record  incidents  prior  to 
1830. 

I  .ira  also  indebted  to  Mrs.  George  W. 
Uewis  and  the  blisses  'ITiompson  for  val- 
ualde  information;  also  to  Mrs.  George 
Levis    and    Mr.    Frank    L.    Wilson. 

Our    fourth    paper    brought    us    to    Or- 

(1) 


tliodox  street.  Orthodox  street  was 
merely  a  lane  leading  to  the  farm  of 
Robert  Smith,  afterwards  the  property 
of  William  Overington.  It  remained  a 
lane  until  the  50's,  when  it  was  opened 
as  a  street  as  far  west  as  Leiper  street, 
but   neither   paved   nor   graded. 

The  only  buildings  on  the  south  sid< 
were  the  two  frame  houses  (now  stand- 
ing) immediately  west  of  Main  street. 
They  were  originally  one  building,  which 
was  used  as  a  button  factory.  This  was 
probably  in  the  "twenties."  The  next 
and  only  other  building  was  the  Friends' 
meeting,  a  frame  house,  which  was  prob- 
ably built  soon  after  the  Separation  ol 
the  Society  of  Friends  in  1828.  There 
were  no  buildings  on  the  north  side  un- 
til about  1869.  Mr.  Charles  Brouse  was 
the  pioneer  builder  west  of  Main  street 
after  the  Friends'  meeting  house.  About 
1856  he  built  the  two-story  brick,  rough 
cast  house,  east  of  the  meeting  house, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  June 
16,  1895.  Mr.  Brouse  was  a  carpenter, 
and  had  his  shop  in  the  rear  of  the  house. 
He  was  a  well-known  and  respected  citi- 
zen, a  son  of  Henry  Brouse,  one  of  the 
old  inhabitants  of  B^rankford. 

Orthodox  street  in  its  early  days  when 
it  was  known  as  Smith's  lane,  had  a  row 
of  cherry  trees  on  the  south  side,  from 
Main  to  Leiper  streets.  About  1S69  it 
was  graded  and  curbed,  and  paved  with 
rubble  stones,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Watsoi 
built  the  three-story  brick,  rough  cast 
house,  on  the  north  side  nearly  opposite 
the  meeting  house.  The  second  building 
on  the  north  side  was  a  brick  houst- 
erected  by  William  Roberts,  next  to  the 
corner  of  Main  street.  Orthodox  street 
was  opened  west  of  Leiper  street  and 
continued  to  the  Asylum  Pike  in  1870. 
Neither  Franklin  nor  Penn  streets  were 

(2) 


opened    iioilli    of    Seilers   street. 

East  of  I'ntil  street,  Orthodox  street 
was  opi'iii'd  (more  as  a  lane  than  a 
street)  to  Tacony  road,  about  184(t,  hut  it 
was  sonic  time  hi-forc  building  on  it  be 
j;an.  The  block  between  Main  and  Taul 
street  was  not  opened  iinlil  IH'tl,  after 
which  the  street  was  sraded  and  paved 
with  riibl.h'  stnucs  the  full  lcn;4lii.  The 
name  itf  Smith's  lane  was  not  chanj;<'d 
until  after  tlie  building  of  tiie  Orthodox 
meeting  hotise,  from  which  it  took  the 
name  of  OrihodDX  street.  I'revioug  to 
Mr.  Overington  [)urchasing  the  prn[icrty 
(where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
November  14th,  1S92)  it  was  owned  and 
farmed  by  Robert  Smith,  who  was  an 
elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

'J'he  entrance  from  Main  street  was 
thruii^'h  a  gate.  It  was  a  private  lane. 
On  opening  Orthodox  street  from  Main 
to  Paul  street,  the  frame  building  owned 
and  occupied  by  Mr.  Conrad  Fries  was 
moved  t<i  the  south  side  of  his  lot.  I 
have  already  written  of  Mr.  Fries,  and 
will    pass    on    to   old   Main    street. 

There  were  no  buildings  on  the  west 
side  of  Main  street,  north  of  Orthodox 
street,  until  we  come  to  the  Jolly  Post 
Tavern.  There  has  been  so  much  writ- 
ten about  the  .Tolly  Post  that  it  is  need- 
less for  me  to  occupy  time  and  space 
here,  but  there  are  some  things  connect- 
ed with  it  that  have  not  appeared  in 
print,  and  that  I  feel  justilicd  in  recall- 
ing to  your  minds.  It  has  been  said  it 
was  at  one  time  Washington's  headtpiar- 
ters  during  the  lievolutionary  War,  but 
there  seems  to  be  some  doubt  as  to  the 
correctness  of  the  assertion.  Neverthe- 
less there  is  no  doubt  of  his  havin? 
stopped  there  on  one  occasion,  as  did 
Lafayette  on  his  visit  to  Frankford  in 
1S24.    As    you    approached    it    from    the 

(3) 


south,  ■where  now  stands  the  new  addi- 
tion, there  was  a  platform  scale  for 
weighing  hay;  the  old  pump  iu  front  wa^ 
a  general  favorite  with  the  thirsty  of 
both  man  and  beast,  and  its  constant  usf 
by  the  neighbors  kept  the  water  fresh 
and  cool. 

On  leaving  the  scales  the  team  de- 
pcended  quite  a  steep  but  short  hill  to  the 
Pike.  I  am  enabled  to  give  the  names 
of  the  different  persons  who  have  occw- 
pi<»d  the  place  as  far  back  as  1820.  Dur- 
ing the  early  twenties  it  was  occupied 
by  a  family  by  the  name  of  Coats  as  a 
private  residence.  There  was  consider- 
able ground  connected  with  the  house, 
and  a  large  garden  in  the  rear  supplied 
vegetables  and  fruit  in  abundance.  Af- 
ter the  Coats  family  vacated  it,  during 
the  late  twenties,  Mrs.  Keiple,  a  widow, 
rented  the  place,  and  agaii*  opened  it  as 
a  hostelry.  During  her  time  it  was  « 
favorite  resort,  and  visitors  from  the  city 
would  drive  out  and  pass  the  time  in  the 
arbors  in  the  garden  where  they  were 
served  with  such  refreshments  as  they 
desired.  Mrs  Keiple  was  a  lovely  lady 
and  a  general  favorite,  and  the  house 
was  well  patronized.  After  Mrs.  Keiple 
left,  Hugh  Iddoms  rented  the  place  about 
1833,  and  remained  until  about  1840. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Iddoms  were  warm-heart- 
ed, congenial  and  pleasant  people,  and 
made  many  friends  during  their  stay  at 
the  Post.  I  have  spoken  of  a  short,  steep 
hin  between  the  hay  scales  and  the  Pike 
down  which  the  loaded  wagons  had  to 
travel  to  reach  the  Pike,  and  on  one  oc- 
casion when  a  load  of  hay  that  Lewis 
Rigler  had  weighed,  was  going  down  this 
bill  the  horses  became  restive.  Just  at 
that  time  two  little  boys,  sons  of  Mr,  Id- 
doms, tried  to  run  in  front  of  the  horses, 
and  one  of  them  was  knocked  down  and 

(4) 


tlio  waijon  paspod  over  liim.  TTo  dio.I  iti 
a  few  niiniilrs.  The  ar<iil«'iit  cnsl  i\ 
tclooin  over  tlio  iifiKliborhood,  iiinl  all 
synipathizod  df-ply  with  llie  bereaved 
fjiniily,  for  the  children  were  KPiicral 
favorites.  Mr.  Hi^rier.  the  yoiinj;  man  who 
owned  the  team,  fainted  and  never  for- 
.•r<)t  the  sad  a<  eident.  Ationt  IStO,  after 
Mr.  Iddoms  retired,  the  place  was  rented 
by  Stephen  I'anl,  who  remained  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  w^'s  followed  l.y  .ImIh 
Mason,  who  was  followed  by  George 
C'happel  and  others,  and  tli.s  l>rings  us 
up  to  1850.  The  !,Toiind  .surrounding  th« 
Jolly  Post  was  not  divided  and  sold  for 
I'uilding  lots  until  some  years  later.  On 
the  north  side  of  the  Post  weie  the 
olacksmith  and  wheelwright  shojjs  of 
Thomas  and  Peter  Castor.  They  re- 
mained there  until  about  IStiO.  Adjoin- 
ing these  5hops  was  an  old  stone  and 
frame  house  with  a  flight  of  stairs  ii 
front  leading  to  the  second  story.  It  is 
still  standing,  and  is  one  of  the  land- 
marks of  the  olden  time.  Next  to  thi. 
building  was,  and  is  still  standing,  a 
1  wo-and-a-half-story  stone,  rough  cast 
house,  built  and  occupied  by  Thomas 
Castor  until  his  death,  which  took  place 
in  1.S84.  It  is  built  on  a  bed  of  solid 
rock,  and  the  stone  with  which  it  is- 
built  was  quarried  from  the  cellar.  I'his 
house  was  said  to  be  the  finest  building 
in  Frankford  at  that  period,  and  certain 
it  is  that  the  winds  luay  blow  and  the 
rain  descend,  but  the  house  does  not  fall, 
for  its  foundation  is  a  solid  rock,  and 
cannot  be  nioved.  Mr.  Castor  built  the 
house  in  IS.'?!),  ai>.d  moved  into  it  in 
ISIO.  Mr.  Castor  was  a  prominent  man 
in  the  borough,  and  no  one  left  a  better 
record  for  honest,  straightforward  fair 
dealings,  and  an  upright  moral  life.  Foi 
some  years  previous  to  his  death  be  was 

(0) 


a  regular  attendant,  with  his  wife,  at  the 
Baptist  Church.  Plis  death  v/as  a  loss  tc 
the  horough. 

On  the  southwest  corner  of  Main  and 
Allen  streets  stood  a  frame  house  which 
was  occupied  in  the  early  forties  by  Mr. 
John  Wilen.  This  house  remained 
standing  until  removed  to  give  place  to 
the  present  building  occupied  as  a  Free 
Library.  This  property  was  owned  by 
Joseph  Allen,  and  the  street  was  named 
after  him.  and  is  still  better  known  by 
that  name.  This  brings  us  to  Allen 
street,  which  like  the  other  cross  streets 
was  nothing  more  than  a  country  lane. 
A  that  period  the  only  house  on  Allen 
street  was  a  frame  building  on  the  south 
side,  which  was  used  and  owned  by 
Samuel  Allen  as  a  bookbindery,  and  is 
now  standing,  having  been  con\erted  into 
two  small  dwellings.  The  street  has  been 
cut  down  six  or  eight  feet  to  conform 
to  the  .equired  grade.  The  frame  build- 
ing that  stood  on  the  corner  where  now 
stands  the  Free  Library,  was,  in  th(>  late 
thirties,  occupied  by  Mrs.  Latch,  a 
widow,  who  for  a  long  time  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Frankford.  We  now  come  tc 
what  was  known  as  the  "red  barn  lot," 
reaching  to  Arrott  street. 

The  only  building  on  this  lot  was  n 
frame  barn,  painted  red,  which  steed 
about  where  Franklin  street  now  runs. 
This  lot  extended  back  to  Leiper  street, 
and  was  part  and  parcel  of  the  305 
acres  originally  purchased  by  Henry 
Waddy  from  Governor  William  Penn, 
Fifth  month  21,  ]t;S4.  In  1823,  First 
month  31,  it  was  purchased  by  James 
Arrott,  and  remained  in  the  Arrott  fam- 
ily until  about  1804,  at  which  time  Penn 
street  was  cut  through  and  graded  and 
paved  with  rubble  stones. 

From  Allen's  lane  to  Oxford  pike  there 

(6) 


was  a  row  of  Lotnhnnly  poplar  frees, 
wliioh  in  tlu>  early  in(>riiii.;.'s  of  spriiij: 
nud  siiiunuT  scenleil  the  neiKlihorhoml 
with  a  sweet  perfume.  A  feature  of 
these  trees  was,  when  youiiper,  tliey  were 
rsed  as  posts  for  fence  rails,  and  as  they 
grew  in  size  tiie  ends  of  these  rails  be- 
came iml.eded  in  the  trees,  and  uiauy  of 
tliem  remained  until  the  trees  were  cut 
down  many  years  afterwards.  Here  Ox- 
ford road,  afterwards  Oxford  pike,  be 
Kan,  and  ou  the  left  side  stood  a  stone 
building  well  known  for  many  years  as 
the  residence  of  John  Hains,  the  proprie- 
tor of  one  of  the  earliest  line  of  omni- 
buses runniiiK  between  Philadelphia  and 
Frankford.  I'revious  to  Mr.  Mains  oc- 
cupying this  property  it  was  occupied  by 
different  persons,  one  of  whom  was 
Thomas  B.  Worrell;  another  a  Mr.  Smith. 

Opposite  this  property,  and  between 
Main  street  and  Oxford  pike,  was  n 
frame  hotel  kept  for  a  number  of  years 
by    Charles   Lewis. 

It  was  a  favorable  location  for  a  hotol, 
as  it  was  convenient  to  both  roads,  and 
on  market  days  many  country  teams  stoi>- 
ped  there.  It  was  also  the  voting  place 
for  O.xford  Township.  The  hotel  is 
known  as  the  >Seven  Stars.  I'^rom  this 
point  to  Dark  Run  or  Litth'  Tacony 
Creek,  farm  land  extended  and  houses 
were  few  and  far  between.  There  were 
no  cross  streets  opened,  but  on  the  west 
side  was  eontimied  the  row  of  Londiardy 
poplar  trees  tliat  in  their  younger  days 
added  much  to  the  appearance  of  the 
turnpike,  and  the  rural  scene. 

North  from  Lewis'  Hotel  there  was 
an  open  lot  bordered  with  Lombardy 
poplar  trees  to  Brick  Yard  lane  (aaw 
Foulkrod  street).  In  1842  John  Johnson 
built  the  house,  now  standing,  on  the 
northwest  corner  of   I'oulkrod  and  Main 

(7) 


streets,  and  occupied  it  as  a  grocery  store. 
Next   was   a   frame   house   the   home   of 
John  Hains  before  he  moved  to  Oxford 
road.    From  that  point  north  to  little  Tac- 
ony   Creek     (Dark  Run)    all   was    farm 
land   under   cultivation,    with   two   small 
frame   houses   opposite   the   residence   of 
Joseph    Allen.      Mr.    Benjamin    Rogers 
lived  in  one  of  these  houses  in  the  late 
'308.      The   poplar   trees   were   continued 
to   the   creek.     From   the   dam   north  of 
Dark  Run  lane  there  was  a  race  which 
conveyed  water  to  the  mill  and  continued 
on  to  old  Main  street,  where  it  emptied 
the   water  into   the  creek,  now  a  sewer. 
In  front  of  these  houses  was  one  of  the 
oasis   of   the   main   street,    a   pump   and 
well   of   pure   cold   water   that   in   warm 
weather  was  in  great  demand.    This  was 
the  last  of  the  system  of  public  pumps. 
Nowhere  around  the  country  was   there 
purer  or   colder   water   than   the   pumps 
of   Frankford   yielded,    and    to   this   day 
can    be    found    pumps    and    springhouses 
that    furnish    a    goodly    supply    of    that 
much-needed    commodity,    and    when   we 
compare  it  with  the  beautiful  coal  black 
or   muddy    liquid   that    our    city    fathers 
supply   us   with   and   make   us   pay   well 
for,  we  of  the  olden  times  can't  be  blamed 
for    longing    for    the    pumps,    or    the    old 
oaken  buckets,  the  moss-covered  buckets, 
the  iron-bound  buckets  that  hung  in  the 
wells.     How  few  of  this  generation  can 
realize  the  full  meaning  of  that  old  song. 

How  dear  to  my  heart  are  the  scenes  of 
my   childhood, 
When  fond  recollections  recall  them  to 
view. 

The  farm  on  the  west  side  of  Main 
street  at  that  time  belonged  to  the  Dyre 
family.  On  this  land  were  the  usual 
buildings  of  a  prosperous  farmer,  and 
in  the  '30s  it  was  cultivated  by  a  family 

(8) 


iinniPd  Roosiilo  I.nter  tlio  prnportjr 
was  piircliascil  iiinl  orciipifd  l>y  Hanioy 
Morcy.  It  lias  sitnc  l)oen  solcliiml  ili- 
vidod  iiiti*  liiiilditiu  lots  on  which  nro  n 
number  of  private  residences.  Smith's 
woods  pxtfiidcd  to  tin-  liirnpikf  tiinniKh 
which    ran    Liltlc   'J'acoiiy    rrci-k. 

These  woods  were  for  years  a  fav- 
orite resort  in  the  summer  time,  but  its 
beauty  has  been  destroyed  by  .so-called 
iniproveuieiits,  and  the  pretty  stream  is 
now  a  hu-fXi'  sewer.  Here  we  leave  the 
west  side  of  Main  street  and  return  to 
Orthodox  street.  Previous  to  opening 
Orthodo.x  street,  on  the  next  property  to 
Conrad  Fries'  house  stood  three  ston^e 
building's.  Those  were  built  of  dressed 
stone  and  the  tirst  floor  was  reached  by 
a  tli^'lit  of  three  or  four  stone  steps. 
The  lirst  was  occupied  by  Jacob  Lesher, 
who  was  a  prominent  carpenter  and 
bnildir  <>(  ihe  old  style,  who  always  made 
it  the  rule  to  sive  the  full  worth  of  the 
money  paid  for  the  work.  No  man  stood 
higher  in  the  estimation  of  the  community 
as  an  honest  builder,  and  his  handy  work 
can  be  found  throujihout  the  surround- 
ing country.  The  uiiiter  houst'  was  oc- 
cupied by  Thomas  Castor  previous  to 
moving  into  his  new  house  above  the 
Jolly  Po.st  in  1840.  The  next  was  n 
house  occupied  by  Peter  Lambert  as  a  va- 
riety store,  .selling  principally  stationery. 
He  was  an  old  resident,  formerly  from 
France,  and  was  said  to  be  a  brother  of 
Daniel  Lamliert,  of  IMiiladeliihia,  who 
was  the  stoutest  person  in  the  ciiy. 
weighing  some  hundreds  of  iwunds.  It 
was  a  common  saying  in  speaking  of  a 
stout  person:  "Almost  as  stout  as  Daddy 
Lambert.'"  In  those  days  there  were  two 
people  who  were  referred  to  as  examples, 
viz.,  Stephen  (Jirard  fur  wealth  and  Dan- 
iel   Lambert    for    size    or    weight.      The 

(9) 


name  of  Peter  Lambert  occurs  on  the 
borough  records  as  assistant  burgess  in 
May,  3S1S-19-20-21  and  22.  Also  as  treas- 
urer the  same  dates.  His  daughter, 
Rachel,  married  Thomas  Kenton,  who 
owned  the  farm,  row  the  North  Cedar 
Hill  Cemetery. 

Next  was  an  old  stone  house  standing 
back  from  the  street  and  with  gable  end 
facing  the  street.  It  was  evidently  a 
very  old  building,  and  was  built  of  the 
same  rough  stone  and  the  same  style  as 
the  rest  of  the  old  ante-revolutionary 
buildings.  It  was  occupied  in  the  early 
'40s  by  Charles  Waterman  and  wife, 
who  were  of  the  old  Quaker  stock  of 
the  borough.  This  house  was  owned  by 
Louis  Emery.  Adjoining  this  was  the 
home  of  Lewis  Emery,  consisting  of  two 
farm  houses.  In  the  lower  one  he  car- 
ried on  the  grocery  business  for  many 
years.  He  was  a  prominent  resident  of 
the  borough,  respected  by  all  who  kne\^ 
him.  He  originally  came  from  France 
and  had  a  great  regard  for  America  and 
her  laws. 

His  death  occurred  October  26,  1893. 
The  name  of  Lewis  Emery  occurs  on  the 
borough  minutes  as  assistant  burgess 
May  1833-34-39  and  40.  North  of  these 
buildings  was  (and  is  still  standing)  some 
distance  back  from  the  street,  another 
old  stone  building  with  the  gable  end 
to  the  road,  belonging  to  Mrs.  Plantan, 
and  was  occupied  by  Eli  Merkins  in  the 
late  '20s  and  early  '30s.  Adjoining  this 
was  the  present  two-and-a-half  story 
stone  rough-cast  house,  also  owned  by 
Mrs.  Plantan.  Mrs.  Plantan  was  origin- 
ally from  France.  This  house  was  oc- 
cupied during  the  '30s  by  a  family  by 
the  name  of  Eames.  These  two  buildings 
are  now  standing,  one  owned  by  the  es- 
tate of  W.  W.  Axe  and  is  the  office  of 

(10) 


Iho    rrankfonl    IlornUl.      Tlic    otlior    be- 
longs to  the  IMntilan  estate. 

The  Iti'V.  Williiviu  I  >.  Ilowiird  also 
occiii)ii.'il  lliis  lionso  wlifii  lio  ciiiui'  to 
I'^raiikford  in  1Sj8.  Next  wore  two  oUI 
stone  houses,  with  the  gable  ends  to  tl^ 
street,  and  witb  considerable  ground 
nround  them.  The  tirst  was  owned  and 
occupied  by  I'oter  Castor,  who  was  for 
many  years  a  prominent  biacksmitli,  ami, 
with  his  brotlier,  Thomas,  had  thoir 
sliops  across  the  street.  lie  was  well 
known  throughout  tbe  surrounding  couii 
try.  The  other  was  owned  and  occupied 
by    Eli    ^Nlerkius    during    the    '30s. 

Mr.  Merkins  was  a  mason  and 
builder.  He  was  known  as  a  first- 
class  mason  and  a  square-dealing 
man.  His  death  occurred  in  1M70.  North 
of  these  were  several  frame  houses,  one 
of  them  occupied  and  owned  by  Peter 
Slaughter,  an  old  and  well-known  resi- 
dent. He  was  of  (Jernian  descent,  and 
I  quote  from  Dr.  Murphy's  history  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church:  "A  man  afifec- 
tionately  remembered  for  his  purity  of 
character  and  his  Christian  activity  in 
the  church." 

Next  stood,  and  is  stili  standing,  a 
frame  house  occupied  by  Captain  John 
Allen.  Mr.  Allen  I  did  not  know,  but, 
wiYh  Mrs.  Allen  I  was  intimately  ac- 
quainted. She  was  a  woman  who  knew 
no  fear  when  duty  called,  and  in  eases  of 
contagious  diseases  she  never  hesitated 
or  considered  the  risk,  but  would  go, 
when  others  feared  to  render  aid,  and 
imrse  with  tender  care  the  poorest  per- 
son. In  times  of  epidemics  I  have 
known  her  to  hasten  to  render  aid  when 
others  would  not  approach  the  house. 

She  had  no  fear  of  disease  and  would 
nurse  the  sick  with  as  much  care  as  if 
tliey  were  of  her  own  kindreil,  aii'I  what 

(in 


was  remarkable,  she  never  carried  any 
contagions  disease  to  her  family  of  chil- 
dren. Many  a  poor  person  was  given 
a  decent  burial  through  her  instrumental- 
ity. There  were  heroes  in  those  days, 
and  Alice  Ann  Allen  stood  prominent 
among  them.  "As  ye  have  done  it  unto 
the  least  of  these  my  brethern,  ye  have 
done  it  unto  me,"  — Matthew  25-40 
She  has  gone  to  her  reward,  and 
her  works  do  follow  her.  Her  death  oc- 
curred April  3d,  1S92.  Then  came  a 
frame  house  occupied  by  a  Mrs.  Pedo, 
who  kept  a  sm.all  store  for  some  time, 
and  was  followed  by  Jacob  Peterson, 
who  purchased  the  property  and  contin- 
ued the  store  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred September  10th,  1903.  The  prop- 
erty is  still  in  possession  of  the  family. 

The  next  was  a  frame  house  owned  and 
occupied  by  William  Kinsey,  who  carried 
on  the  tanyard  on  Paul  street,  from 
Meadow  to  Margaret  streets.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Orthodox  Friends' 
Meeting.  Next  was  a  yellow  .stone  house 
occupied  by  two  elderly  single  women, 
Sliss  Sarah  Barton  and  sister.  Previous 
to  the  Misses  Barton  occupymg  the  stone 
house  it  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Walton 
and  family.  Miss  Sallie  Barton,  as  she 
was  best  known,  and  will  probably  be 
remembered  by  many  now  living. 
Meadow  street  was  not  cut  through  to 
Main  street,  and  the  next  was  a  frame 
house,  still  standing  that  was  occupied 
in  the  '30s  by  a  Mr.  Summers  who  kept 
a  small  dry  goods  and  trimmings  store. 
On  tiieir  removal  it  was  occupied  by  Levi 
P.  Coats,  Mr.  Coats  continuing  to  carry 
on  the  dry  goods  store.  Mr.  Coats  fol- 
lowed Mr.  Kinsey  in  the  tanning  busi- 
ness. He  purchased  the  property  on 
Main  Street  below  Unity,  and  removed 
there  in  1S44.  We  have  now  reached 
(12) 


the  junction  of  Paul  and  Main 
streets.  Dr.  Murphy,  in  his  history  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  says,  in 
1S07,  the  only  l)iuk  .street  was  PauTs 
hack  lane  with  nnly  IS  or  'JO  houses  on 
It.  This  was  what  is  now  Paul  street. 
There  was  no  Margaret  street  then  and 
the  first  house  north  of  the  tanyard  was 
the  property  of  Jessie  Walton.  It  was 
a  \ar^v  ciouhle  stone  house  that  had  evi- 
tlently  in  its  early  days  been  a  spacious 
farm  house.  Tliere  was  considerable 
ground  attached  to  it  and  it  was  a  de- 
sirable residence  as  late  as  the  year  1840. 
Between  the  Kinsey  tanyard  and  Jessie 
Walton's  house  were  two  small  fram* 
houses  evidently  old  buildings  at  that 
date.  In  one  of  thes  lived  William  and 
Mary  Shoch,  old  and  respected  residents 
of  Frankford.  Jessie  Walton  was  a 
Friend.  His  tanyard  was  on  Unity 
street,  Jessie  Walton  had  several  ap- 
prentices living  with  him  and  as  is  natur- 
al, these  boys  were  very  fond  of  pies,  a 
number  of  which  were  always  kept  on 
hand  in  the  cellar.  Notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  these  apprentices  were  well 
fed,  and  of  the  best  the  market  afforded, 
they  craved  an  extra  portion  of  Mrs. 
Walton's  lovely  pies,  and  on  one  occasion 
concerted  a  plan  to  get  possession  of  some 
of  them.  Their  plan  was  well  laid,  and 
on  a  certain  night  after  everybody  had 
retired  the  two  apprentices  stole  down 
stairs,  one  of  them  going  into  the  cellar 
to  hand  the  pies  through  the  window  to 
the  one  outside.  But  the  best  laid  plan» 
of  mice  and  men  gang  aft  agee,  and, 
unfortunately  for  the  youngsters,  Jessie 
mistrusted  something  and.  dressing,  he 
came  quietly  downstairs  and  out  to  the 
window  where  Ben  was  just  taking  a 
pie  from  Jake.  When  he  saw  Jessie 
coming,  without  waiting  to  give  Lis 
(13) 


companion  warning,  he  dropped  the  pie 
and  ran.  Jessie  took  his  place  and  when 
another  pie  was  handed  out,  Jake  said: 
"Say,  Ben,  that  makes  three;  ain't  that 
enoujih  for  to-night  V"  Jessie,  who  was 
enjoying  tlie  joke,  said:  "Well,  yes,  Jacoh, 
I  guess  thee  can  come  np  now  and  go 
to  bed  and  I'll  take  care  of  the  pies." 
We  can  easily  imagine  the  feelings  of 
Jacob,  v.ho  came  crawling  out  of  the  win- 
dow into  the  presence  of  the  boss,  Init 
he  quietly  sneaked  up  to  bed  and  neither 
Jessie  nor  Mrs.  Walton  ever  said  a 
word  to  the  culprits  or  upbraided  them 
in  the  least,  but  it  any  of  the  household 
wanted  to  have  some  fun,  all  they  had 
to  do  was  to  mention  pic.  Of  course, 
these  names  are  fictitious,  but  the  story 
is  true,  and  Mrs.  Walton  never  missed 
any  more  pies.  After  ^Ir.  Walton  mov- 
ed, William  Kinsey's  oldest  son,  William, 
was  married  and  moved  into  the  house, 
and  after  bin.  Mr.  Enoch  Arthur  moved 
in  and  remained  there  for  some  time. 
It  ■was  then  altered  and  enlarged  and 
made  into  a  hostelry  known  as  the  North 
Star  Hvotel,  until  it  burned  down  Jan- 
uary 14th,  1S8T.  A  number  of  farm- 
ers' teams  with  contents  were  consumed 
together  with  a  number  of  horses.  There 
was  a  wide  porch  in  front  extending  the 
full  width  of  the  house.  The  house  stood 
back  from  the  street,  surrounded  by 
trees. 

The  next  property  was  an  old  small 
stone  hou.se  with  truck  patch  attached, 
reaching  to  what  is  now  the  Henry 
Herbert  Public  School  property.  It  still 
stands  and  was  owned  by  Mrs.  Simons, 
who  followed  trucking  during  the  '20s 
and  '30s.  Afterwards,  Mrs.  Charles  E. 
Hubbs  purchased  the  property  and  al- 
tered it  to  its  present  condition. 

The  next  property  was  the  brick  yard 

[14] 


of  Abrani  Altrams.  wliorp  now  standi 
tlie  Henry  IIitIxtI  Sctinol  lumso,  ninl  lln> 
Frnnkford  Aveniie  Methodist  Cluircli. 
Mr.  Ahrams  carried  >)ii  tin-  Imsiness  nn- 
tii  tlie  late  '4()s.  We  iiave  now  readied 
lirick  Yard  lane,  east  of  Main  street. 
It  was  a  lane  or  approach  to  the  farm 
of  Henry  Schock  (BuliJier  Harry).  It 
was  afterward  opened  and  named  Fonlk- 
rod  street,  after  the  well-kiiDwn  family 
of  that  name,  one  of  whom  wjis  the 
grandfather  of  the  Hon.  W.  W.  Foulk- 
rod,  the  presich-nt  of  this  society.  North 
of  r>rick  Yard  lane  and  a  short  distance 
east  of  Main  street  were  two  small  stone 
houses  of  long  standing.  On  the  north- 
east corner  was  a  vacant  lot  running 
bnck  to  the  two  old  houses  and  joining 
this  lot  were  two  two-story  stone  houses. 
This  property  was  owned  by  and  was 
part  of  the  Schock  farm,  and  these  house.s 
were  built  long  before  the  recollection  of 
any  one  imw  living.  One  of  them  was 
occupied  by  Isaac  Schock,  a  shoemaker, 
and  brother  of  Henry  Schock.  In  front 
of  these  houses  there  is  still  standing 
one  of  the  first  milestones  erected  by  the 
old  Turnpike  Coiiipniiy.  It  records  the 
distance  from  the  beginning  of  the  Bris- 
tol pike  at  Laurel  street. 

(Note — All  roads  were  measured  by  the 
county  from  the  old  Court  house  that 
stood  at  Front  and  Market  streets,  but 
this  pike  was  built  only  as  far  as  Laurel 
street.) 

On  it  can  yet  be  seen  "Five  miles  to 
T.  (meaning  town).  There  was  also 
one  of  the  old  pumps  tkat  for  so  many 
years  furnished  pure  cold  water  that 
quenched  the  thirst  of  many  thousands 
of  the  early  inhabitants  of  the  surround- 
ing country,  and  for  years  yet  they  will 
be  gratefully  remembered  as  public  bene- 
factors. 

(15) 


Their  handles  had  seen  many  ups  and 
downs  in  their  days,  but  no  one  ever 
heard  of  their  refusing  to  supply  the 
demands  made  on  them.  From  these  two 
houses  the  Schock  farm  extended  to  what 
is  now  Harrison  street,  and  as  far  back 
as  Little  Tacony  Creek.  Harrison  street 
was  not  opened,  but  there  was  a  lane 
running  east  from  the  pike  until  about 
1S40.  In  1843-4  Charles  Ball  (brother 
of  Joseph  Ball,  Sr.)  built  his  cottage  on 
the  northeast  ccrner,  where  he  lived  for 
some  time.  The  building  was  recently 
torn  down  to  make  way  for  improve- 
ments. It  was  known  as  Ball  cottage. 
We  now  come  to  one  of  Ihe  old  land- 
marks, and  most  noted  building  of  those 
days,  viz.,  the  residence  of  Joseph  Allen, 
extending  to  what  is  now  Wakeling 
street.  The  house  was  built  in  1801  and 
it  has  not  been  altered.  It  is  a  donble 
stone  building,  pebble-dashed,  built  in 
the  Colonial  style,  with  a  grove  of  large 
trees  around  it,  and  in  its  palmy  days 
was  a  house  of  considerable  note.  Mr. 
Allen  was  a  man  who  stood  high  in  the 
estimation  of  the  people,  and  no  one  had 
more  warm  friends  and  fewer  enemies. 
His  name  appears  on  the  records  as  as- 
sistant burgess  in  1824-25-2(5-31  and  32. 

The  one  notable  event  in  connection 
with  this  house  occurred  in  1824,  when 
General  Lafayette  passed  through 
Frankford  during  his  memorable  visit  to 
fbe  United  States.  He  was  met  at  the 
lower  end  of  Frankford  by  a  body  of 
cadets,  and  escorted  up  Main  street  to 
Bridge  street  and  out  Bridge  street  to 
the  Frankford  Arsenal.  There  was  a 
triumphal  arch  erected  across  Main 
street  opposite  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
Martha  Dungan.  Mr.  Joseph  Allen  ten- 
dered him  a  ball  in  the  evening  at  his' 
residence,    which    was    attended    by    a 

(16) 


largp    niimbor    of     iiuied     iicrsoiis     fnim 
Fnmkfnnl,     I 'luladelpliia     :iinl     the    sur- 
nniiulin,!;   codiilry.      'I'lio    two    parlors   on 
tlif  south  side  iiiid  tlit"  laru'o  sittiiifi  room 
on  tlio  north  siih-  wcro  tlirown  oi)cn  and 
brilliantly  ilhiniinatcd.  and   with  liu'  wide 
hall  afforded  a  !ar>:e  spate  for  the  festivi- 
ties  of   the  evening.      On   the   front    wall 
of   the   parlor  between  the  two  windows 
Inin;;  the    p<irli:iit    nf   ihc   man    who   wax 
first    in    war,    tirst    in    peace    ami    tirsi    in 
the   hearts   of   liis   countrymen,   and    coii- 
t  in  lies    to    he    cherished    as    such    \n    ilie 
present   day    with   as   much  fervor   as    in 
his   palmiest   da>h.      On   the   wall   of   the 
back    parlor    was    luuif:    the    portrait    of 
America's  best  friend,  General  Lafayette. 
Roth     portraits     were    draiied     with     the 
(hiK    which    Iney    so    nobly    carried    to    n 
jrlorions    victory,    and  securing  the    inde- 
pendence   of    niir    land    nf    the    free    and 
lie  line   of   the   brave.      There   was    also   a 
triumphal   arch   erected    across   the   turn- 
pike at  the  tollgate  at  Bridge  street,  with 
the  word   Welcome  on  it.     General   Laf- 
ayette was  escorted  to  the  arsenal,  where 
he    remained    during    his    short    sojourn 
here.     Joining  the  Allen  property  on  the 
north    was   the   farm   of   .Tohn   G.   Teese, 
which   extended   northward    to  the   creek 
and    eastward    to    what    is    now    Willow 
street,    and    is    the    Haworth    settlement. 
This    property    was    owned,    previous    to 
being  purchased  by  Mr.  Teese,   by  Sam- 
uel Wakcling,  the  patriarch  of  the  Wnke- 
ling    family,    who    originally    came    from 
England   and    settled    in    Pliiladelphia. 

I)nring  the  yelluw  fever  epidemic  in 
tlie  city  in  17'.t.".-!>7  and  'JS-!)'.»,  he  moved 
from  the  city  and  lived  on  liocky  Hill 
on  the  farm  afterward  owned  by  Robert 
Cornelius  and  being  very  much  pleased 
with  the  country,  he  purchased  the  Teese 
property  and  built  the  house,  now  stand- 

(17) 


ing,  -where  he  resided  until  ISOl,  when 
he  purchased  the  Allen  Grove  land,  and 
in  1801  built  the  house  now  standing, 
and  lived  there  until  his  death.  North  of 
the  stone  house  and  near  Little  Tacony 
Creek  was  an  old  frame  house  that  had 
stood  there  for  many  years  and  was  evi- 
dently the  farm  house  years  before  Mr. 
Wakeliug  purchased.  It  evideutly  anti- 
dated  the  Revolutionary  War  by  many 
years,  and  there  is  no  record  of  when  it 
was  built.  It  is  believed  to  be  one  of 
the  oldest  houses  in  Frankford. 

Mrs.  Wakeling,  his  wife,  was  Elizabeth 
de  Monceau,  a  French  Hugenot,  one 
of  those  sturdy  Christians,  who  would 
yield  up  their  lives  rather  than  deny 
their  faith  in  the  Man  of  Calvary.  They 
had  four  children,  Edmund  de  Monceau 
Wakeling,  Samuel  Wakeliug  and  a  daugh- 
ter, who  married  Mr.  Joseph  Allen,  the 
grandfather   of   the   Misses   Thompson. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Wakeling  had 
two  sous  and  two  daughters,  viz.:  Mrs. 
Joseph  Allen  and  Mrs.  Henrietta  Latch, 
widow  of  Mr.  Gardiner  Latch  and  mother 
of  Jacob  Latch,  who  went  through  the 
War  of  the  Rebelliou  and  was  with  Grant 
at  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Appomattox; 
also  mother  of  Mrs.  William  Ashworth 
,so  well  and  favorably  known  throughout 
the  borough.  Mrs.  Latch  died  at  her  farm 
in  Merion,  March,  1902. 

Mr.  Wakeling  was  a  bookbinder  and 
carried  on  the  business  in  a  frame  build- 
ing, he  put  up  in  the  rear  of  the  house, 
and  after  his  death  Mr.  Allen  carried  on 
the  business  until  his  death. 

John  G.  Teese  cultivated  the  farm  until 
his  death  in  18G1,  aged  69  years.  No 
man  was  better  known  and  respected.  He 
was  one  of  nature's  noblemen,  honest  and 
upright  in  all  his  actions  and  a  good,  kind 
neighbor  and  friend.    He  was  for  a  long 

(18) 


time  n  tnistoe  of  the  Prosbytoriaii 
Church.  The  name  of  John  (J.  Tcpse  ap- 
pt'iirs  oil  the  liorouuh  rt'oonis  as  assistant 
burgoss  in  18li!>-:U)-;',:{-:54-:ir..  Mrs.  Teese 
died  one  year  before  him.  Tliey  have  one 
daughter  and  Kranddanshter  livinR  with 
ua  yet,  Mrs.  George  VV.  Lewis  and  Miss 
Ilattie  Lewis. 

We  have  now  reached  the  northern  ter- 
niiniis  of  the  borough  and  the  old  Main 
street  of  Frankford  (55  years  ago  and  be- 
yond, and  I  have  no  donbt  you  are  as 
gJad  as  I  am  that  it  is  comiiloted.  The 
work  required  of  me  at  the  beginning  was 
as  follows: 

A  description  of  the  old  Main  street  in 
its  entire  length,  what  houses  were  stand- 
ing, who  owned  and  lived  in  them  and 
who  they  were.  -The  names  of  the 
streets  opened  on  both  sides  east  and 
west  of  Main  street,  and  where  they  led 
to. 

I  have  endeavored  to  carry  out 
the  task  laid  on  me  to  the  best 
of  my  ability,  and  no  one  realizes 
how  far  short  I  have  come  more  than  I 
do  myself.  In  closing  these  papers  I  wish 
to  thank  all  oC  you  for  the  patience  and 
interest  you  have  shown,  and  you  will 
never  know  how  much  you  have  helped 
me  to  carry  this  through  by  vour  encour- 
aging kindness.  It  has  been  some  trouble, 
considerable  worry  for  fear  the  papers 
would  not  meet  your  approval;  but  I  am 
well  and  truly  repaid  for  any  inconven- 
ience or  worry  I  may  have  had  by  your 
patience  and  kind  treatment- 
It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  from  the 
beginning  that  of  the  people  I  have  writ- 
ten about  I  have  had  only  good  to  record. 
They  were  among  the  leading  persons  in 
the  borough  at  that  period,  and  I  speak  of 
them  as  I  and  others  knew  them.  They 
were  persons  who  knew  no  graft  or  dia- 

(19) 


honesty  in  the  positions  they  occupied, 
and  at  this  late  day  their  descendants  as 
well  as  the  inhabitants  have  no  cause  to 
be  ashamed  of  their  names  or  lives  among 
the  people  with  whom  they  lived  in  their 
day  and  generation 

ir  1  have  succeeded  in  adding  just  a  lit- 
tle to  the  interest  of  the  Frankford  His- 
torical Society  then  am  I  thrico  over  well 
paid  for  my  efforts. 

I  had  almost  omitted  an  interesting 
matter  in  connection  with  the  Wakeling- 
Allen  House,  and  that  is  the  grounds 
around  the  building  were  laid  out  by  Mr. 
Macaran,  the  proprietor  of  the  once 
famous  Macaran  Garden  that  occupied 
the  square  between  Market  and  Filbert 
streets  and  between  Schuylkill,  Sixth  and 
Seventh  streets  in  the  old  city  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

This  garden  was  a  place  of  amusement 
and  general  resort  in  warm  weather  dur- 
ing the  1830s  and  early  lS40s.  In  it  was 
a  large  grove  of  trees,  pleasant  walks  and 
a  cool  retreat  from  the  hot  streets.  There 
is  not  a  single  vestige  of  it  left  to  mark 
the  place  where  so  many  spent  very  pleas- 
ant hours.  In  the  early  40s  he  gave  a 
representation  of  the  eruption  of  IMount 
Vesuvius,  and  the  distruction  of  Pompeii 
and  Herculaneum.  It  was  witnessed  by 
many  thousands  of  persons  and  was  a 
vivid  and  grand  sight,  and  there  has  never 
.since  been  anything  to  equal  it.  The 
mountain  was  built  about  two  stories 
high,  and  a  good  reproduction  of  the  origi- 
nal, with  the  two  cities  at  its  base,  and 
with  the  black  smoke,  the  bombs  and  rock- 
ets flying,  the  rolling  thunder  and  flashing 
lightning,  the  fiery  lava  running  down  the 
mountain  and  the  doomed  cities,  made  a 
grand  spectacle  that  once  seen  could 
never  be  forgotten.  At  that  time  the  city 
west  of  Broad  street  was  sparsely  built 
up  and  brickyards  were  almost  as  numer- 
ous as  houses. 

All!  but  where  does  memory  bring  me? 

Scenes  like  these  I'll  ne'er  forget. 

(20) 


Corrections,  Vol.  1, 
No.  2. 


PjifTo  n,  line  IS,  Wiggins  shoiil.l  he 
Wriygiiis. 

Page  6,  line  1,  should  be  eighteenth 
(ontr.ry. 

Page  7,  Hue  20,  south  shuulil  be  cast 
side. 

Pngc  8,  line  12,  Captain  should  be 
Colonel. 

On  page  7,  five  lines  from  the  bottom. 
Diirruh   should  be  Darrach. 

Page  9,  lino  .1,  StulTod  should  be  Stnf- 
fel,    German    for    Christopher. 

Page  17,  line  9,   should  be  fathers. 

Page  18,  line  2tj,  Daniel  Thomas.  The 
name  of  Daniel  Thomas  appears  in 
182.S-24-25-26  and  20,  as  Chief  Burgess. 

Page  30,  line  14,  .should  be  Carpontier. 

Page  39,  line  13  from  the  bottom, 
Churman   should  be  Churchman. 

Page  42,  line  10,  s-ocond  clause,  should 
be   Atkinson. 

Page  42.  line  8,  should  be  Little  Ta- 
cony  Creek. 

Pnge,  addendum. 

Page  18.  Adam  Slater  lived  in  one  of 
these  houses.  He  was  an  old  citi-'-on,  and 
the  brother  of  Peter  Slaughter.  He  took 
•■juite  a  prominent  part  in  the  affairs 
of  the  Borough,  and  was  As.sistant  I'uir- 
gess  in  1S37-.38. 

Page  22.  The  back  building  of  the 
(Joldeu  Fleece  Hotel  was  built  some 
years  before  the  front  part,  and  was  a 
dwelling  place. 

Page  24,  second  clause.  The  name  of 
Buan  appears  on  the  records  as  Chief 
Burgess    in    1800. 

Page  40.  The  corner  lot  was  at  otie 
time  owned  by  Henry  Whittington,  who 
Nold  it  to  Asher  Vanhorn  for  one  hun- 
dred dollars. 


Henry  Waddy. 

Written   by    Guernsey    A.    Ilallowell, 
(March— 1907) 

Among  the  first  settlers  of  Frankford 

was   Henry   Waddy,   a  milliner,   of   IIol- 

borne,  in  the  riirish  of  St.  Andrews,  City 

of  London,  En.iilanil. 
He   was   a   member  of  the   Society   of 

Friends.  Wldle  in  Enjiland  he  was  one 
of  those  who  .suffered  persecution  for  his 
religious  belief.  In  "Besse's  Sufferings 
of  the  Quakers,"  under  date  of  1080,  it  is 
stated  that  "In  Trinity  Term  this  Year, 
Sir  Hugh  \^■i^(lllinl,  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Common  Pleas,  brought  into  that 
Court  at  Westminster  several  Informa- 
tions in  the  Nanu"  of  Thomas  Moore,  as 
Informer,  against  Thomas  Farraborow, 
of  London,  Chairmaker,  Henry  Waddy, 
.7ohn  Edge  of  St.  Andrews,  Hr)lborne,  in 
the  County  of  Middlesex,  and  John  Jones 
of  St.  Andrews,  Holborne,  Glover,  for 
£2()0  each  of  them,  alledged  to  be  for- 
feited for  their  not  coming  to  hear  Com- 
mon-prayer for  thirteen  months  past  i>re- 
ceding  the  Information,  on  the  Statute  of 
2^T(\  Eliz.  made  against  Popish  Recu- 
sants." Gilbert  Cope  says,  "Some  other 
Friends  being  in  like  circumstances  a 
statement  of  the  case  was  published  and 
presented  to  the  King  and  Parliament, 
and  the  House  of  Commons  resolved  that 
such  pro.secution  of  Protestant  dissenters 
was  dangerous  to  the  peace  of  the  King- 
dom,  but  failfil   to  provide  n  remedy." 

Probably    suffering   uii<ler   the   sting   of 
religious   persecution   ami   desiring   to   lo- 
(21) 


cate  in  a  land  where  he  might  enjoy  more 
freedom  of  thought  and  action,  Henry 
Waddy  availed  himself  of  the  oppor- 
tunity offered  by  William  Peuu  in  the 
new  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  and  ac- 
cordingly purchased  from  him  by  lease 
and  release  dated  September  25  and 
26,  1081,  seven  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
of  land  to  be  located  in  such  place  or 
places  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania 
and  in  such  manner  and  at  such  time  or 
times  as  by  a  certain  concession  or  con- 
stitution dated  July  11,  1680,  executed 
between  the  said  William  Penn  of  the 
one  part  and  Henry  Waddy  and  other 
purchasers  of  land  within  the  Province 
of  the  other  part. 

The  following  year,  Henry  Waddy  sail- 
ed for  Pennsylvania,  arriving  at  Upland 
on  the  second  day  of  Sixth  month,  1682, 
He  at  once  set  out  to  secure  his  land, 
and  of  the  seven  hundred  and  fifty  acres 
purchased  by  him,  he  located  five  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  thereof  in  Oxford  Town- 
ship, Philadelphia  County,  in  two  tracts, 
one  of  two  hundred  and  forty-five  acres, 
located  now  in  the  Thirty-fifth  Ward, 
being  fifty-two  perches  in  width  and  ex- 
tending from  the  present  Frankford 
Creek  northeastwardly  to  within  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  Cott- 
man  street  (formerly  Township  Line 
Road);  the  northwest  boundary  of  this 
tract  being  the  present  road  at  the  rail- 
road station  at  Cedar  Grove;  it  also 
passed  along  the  southeast  side  of  the 
Trinity  Church  Burial  Ground  at  Oxford, 
crossing  the  Oxford  Turnpike  at  this 
point.  The  other  tract  of  three  hundred 
and  five  acres,  which  was  subsequently 
known  by  the  name  of  "Waddy's 
Grange"  being  on  the  northwest  side  of 
Firankford  avenue  in  Frankford,  and 
extending  from   Frankford   Creek   north- 

(22) 


oastwanlly  aliont  fo\ir  Iminlri'd  and  fifty- 
sfvcii  pcrclu's  iiloii^  land  sold  tn  Unl>frt 
Adams.  Tho  nnrtliwcst  lino  of  this  tract 
was  near  tiic  present  Oakland  streot,  and 
the  northeast  line  was  prohaliiy  lietweeii 
N'anlcirU  and  Cnnily  streets,  as  laid  <>nl 
on  the  City  IMan,  Imt  imt  opened,  in 
liie  Thirty-tifth  ward.  A  [Mirtion  of  Ce- 
dar Hill  Cemetery  is  inchnhMJ  in  this 
tract.  The  tracts  were  secured  l>y  war- 
rants frnni  the  Commissioners  of  William 
IV-nn  dated  the  seventh  day  of  Sixth 
month,  1()S2;  the  first  mentioned  tract 
was  surveyed  the  ninteentli  day  of  Sixth 
month,  1(182,  and  a  patent  granted  there- 
for on  the  tenth  day  of  Tenth  month, 
1(;82.  The  last  mentioned  tract  was  sur- 
veyed the  twelfth  day  of  Sixth  month, 
1(!82,  and  a  patent  }.'r:uit;'d  therefir  on 
the  twenty-th-st  day  of  Fifth  month,  ItJS-l. 
lie  i)urcliaseil  Ircini  llohcrt  Adams  Ist 
mo.,  2(Jth,  l(!!t4,  a  tract  of  seven  and 
ihree-qnarter  acres  and  two  poles  ad- 
joinin.i,'  tho  last-mentioned   tract. 

Henry  Wad<ly  was  a  mendier  f)f  the 
First  Grand  Jury  of  the  first  Court  held 
at  Philadeliihia  under  the  pjvernment 
i>f  William  Penn  on  the  eleventh  day  of 
.Tanuury,  li>S"J-;>.  As  the  new  province 
had  heen  lint  si)arsely  settled  by  the 
Dutch  and  Swedes  alon^  the  Rivers  Del- 
aware and  Schuylkill  and  their  tributaries 
and  travel  had  heen  limited  i)rincipally 
to  the  waterways,  it  was  necessary  that 
steps  be  taken  to  develop  the  country 
and  improve  it  by  the  openinj:  of  roads 
aihl  ilie  establishment  of  bridfres  and 
ferries.  This  Tirand  .Tiiry,  therefore, 
found  much  important  work  to  do.  Af- 
ter givinj:  their  attention  to  the  section 
upon  which  the  city  was  to  be  erected 
and  to  Shackamaxon.  subseiiuently  Ken- 
sinjiton,  they  made  the  folluwini;  recom- 
mendations:     "4th.      That    the    creek    at 

(23) 


TanknnnPT  (Takony)  nnd  Gunner  Rnm- 
bo's  be  bridged  or  cannowed.  5th.  That 
the  King's  road  from  Scuilkill  (Schuyl- 
kill) through  Philadelphia  to  Neshem- 
eney  Creek  may  be  marked  out  and  made 
passable  for  horses  and  carts,  where 
needful,  and  to  ascertain,  with  Chester 
and  Bucks,  where  to  fix  the  ferries  of 
those  creeks,  the  Schuylkill  and  Neshem- 
eney.  6th.  We  present  the  want  of  a 
county  court  house."  Takony  Creek 
above  mentioned  was  the  present  Frank- 
ford  Creek  and  Gunner  Rambo's  was 
subsequently  Gunners  Run  a  short  dis- 
tance below  Frankford. 

"In  July,  1GS3,"  according  to  the  Pem- 
berton  papers,  ''William  Penn  issued  an 
oi'der  for  the  establishment  of  a  post  of- 
fice, and  granted  to  Henry  Waldy  (Wad- 
dy),  of  Tekonay,  authority  to  hold  one 
and  to  supply  passengers  with  horses 
from  Philadelphia  to  New  Castle,  or  to 
the  falls.*  The  rates  of  postage  were, 
to  wit:  Letters  from  the  Falls  to  Phila- 
delphia, 3d.;  to  Che-ster,  5d.;  to  New  Cas- 
tle, 7d.;  to  Maryland,  9d.,  and  from 
Philadelphia  to  Chester,  2d.;  to  New 
Castle,  4d.,  and  to  Maryland,  6d.  The 
post  went  once  a  week,  and  was  to  be 
carefully  published  on  the  meeting  house 
door  and  other  public  places." 

Henry  Waddy  was  a  member  of  Ox- 
ford Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  and 
was  among  those  appointed  from  time  to 
time  to  attend  the  Quarterly  Meetings. 
His  name  also  appears  as  a  witness  upon 
a  number  of  early  marriage  certificates. 


*This  aopointment  has  been  dispiited  by  some 
authorities  upon  the  ground  that  tliere  was  no 
occasion  for  it,  yet  the  Duke  of  York  found  it 
necessary  for  the  business  of  tlie  government  to 
establish  a  post  and  an  act  to  this  end  was  passed 
as  earlv  as  September  26, 1676,  and  subsequently 
re-enacted  by  the  Assembly  under  Penn  March  1 
1683. 


(24) 


rie  had  n  wifp,  Marper.T,  and  three 
cliildreii— Johu.  who  difd  on  the  18th  of 
12th  uioiith,  ItiSn,  was  the  first  porHon 
wliose  hiirinl  is  rororded  hb  haviiiK  hoon 
made  in  the  Friends'  r.iuial  (Jroimd  on 
Wain  street,  Frankford.  .\ni>tiit'r  son, 
whose  name  is  not  Kiven,  wi»o  died  on 
the  8th  of  Cth  month,  KkS!),  and  Ann. 
who  married  IJithard  S.  Coney,  a  eitizon 
of  Ilolhorn,  City  of  London,  Hosier. 
Marfjarey  Waddy  died  <>n  tlic  2t>tli  day 
of  Sth  month.  Hi'.H.  Ileury  Waddy  died 
on  the  25th  day  of  I  ith  mouth,  1694.  They 
were  buried  in  the  Friends'  Ground  he- 
fore  mciitiuai'd.  (teor;;e  I'otrie,  a  servant 
of  Waddy,  died  on  the  same  day  as  Mrs. 
Waddy. 

In  his  will,  dated  the  20th  of  9th 
month,  l(;f)4.  Henry  Waddy  state.!  that 
as  for  auytliing  of  worldly  snlistauee  he 
liad  already  disposed  of  tliat  by  deed  of 
gift,  but  if  anything  should  happen  to  be 
not  disposed  of  tlien  he  gave  and  be- 
queathed it  to  Richard  Coney  and  to 
Ann  Coney,  his  wife.  Of  his  will  he  ap- 
{jointed  Richard  Coney,  executor,  and 
Ann  Coney,  executrix,  and  nominated  his 
"trusty  and  well-beloved  friends,  John 
Goodson,  of  rhiladelphia,  and  Joseph 
Paul,  of  Oxford,  in  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, as  trustees,  for  his  said  executors 
to  see  to  the  right  and  due  perform- 
ance of  his  will  and  to  take  care  of  his 
decent  burial." 

Richard  S.  Coney  aud  his  wife  remain- 
ed iu  England  and  executed  a  letter  of 
attorney  to  John  Goodson  and  Joseph 
Paul,  by  authority  of  which  on  the  24th 
day  of  May,  lU'JS,  they  sold  the  two 
tracts  of  three  hundred  and  five  acres 
and  seven  and  three-quarter  acres  and 
two  poles,  with  all  the  houses,  barns, 
orchards,  gardens,  fences,  enclosures, 
buildings  and  improvements  thereon  to 
(26) 


Robert  Adams,  of  Oxford  township.  Of 
the  tract  of  two  hundred  and  forty-five 
acres  they  sold  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  on  the  10th  of  Fourth  month,  1G98, 
to  Daniel  Hall,  of  Oxford  township,  the 
remainder  of  said  tract  having  been  dis- 
posed of  to  John  Wells. 

References:  Exemplification  Record. 
Vol.  3,  p.  101,  etc.;  Vol.  5,  p.  53G,  etc.; 
Vol.  7,  p.  259,  etc.,  Phila. 

Genealogy  of  Smedley  Family  by  Gil- 
bert Cope,  p.  47. 

Certificates  of  Removal,  Phila.  Month- 
ly Meeting  of  Friends. 

Deed  Book  G,  No.  8,  page  34G,  etc., 
Phila. 

Watson's  Annals  of  Phila.,  Vol.  1,  p. 
298,  and  Vol.  2,   p.  391. 

Minutes  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Friends. 

Records  of  Births  and  Deaths,  Abing- 
ton Monthly  Meeting. 
Will  Book  A,  p.  293,  Phila. 
Biographies  of  Phila.  Postmasters,  by 
Judge  W.  Wilkius  Carr,  published  in 
Postal  Guide,  Phila.  Post  OtBce,  July, 
1900,  p.   7. 

History  of  Philadelphia,  by  Scharf  & 
Westcott,  Vol.  3,  p.  180G. 


(26] 


Minutes  of  Meeting 

IlrM    May    'Jl,    I'.toT. 


Tlio  stated  mooting  of  the  Ilistoricnl 
Society  of  Frankfonl  was  liold  Tues- 
day evening,  May  21,  1!)()7,  in  the  lec- 
ture room  of  the  Free  Lihrnry. 

Tho  secrotary  prosontod  the  names  of 
three  persons  who  liad  made  application 
for  momhorship  in  the  society — Miss 
Anna  Louise  Ditman,  Mrs.  Frank  T. 
Wilson,  and  Major  Wm.  Suddards  Rob- 
inson. On  motion,  Ihcy  wiTe  declared 
elected. 

A   committoo,   coiisislinj.;   of    Uohort    T. 

Corson,     Esq.,     Franklin    Smedley    and 

Eleanor    E.    Wri^'ht,    was    appointed    to 

make   arranfiemont.s   for   an   e.KCursion   to 

Yalloy    Forge   on  Saturday,   June  --. 

Tho  papers  prepared  for  the  evening 
were  read  by  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Dixon  and 
Guernsoy    Ilallowell,    E.sq. 

Dr.  Dixon  read  bis  fifth  and  last  paper 
on  "The  Main  Street  of  Frankford 
Sixty-five  Years  Ago."  The  torritory 
covered  by  Dr.  Dixon's  paper  embraood 
both  sides  of  the  street  from  Orthodo.x 
street,    north    to   Cedar    Ilill. 

On  tlie  fonclnsion  of  Dr.  Dixon's  pnpor 
the  President,  in  moving  a  vote  of  thanks 
to  Dr.  Dixon  said:  "The  society  was 
greatly  indebted  to  him  for  the  valuable 
papers  ho  had  prepared,  preserving  for 
future  generations  this  graphic  descrip- 
tion of  our  town  and  its  inhabitants  so 
long  ago."  Mr.  Foulkrod  called  attention 
to  the  untiring  zeal  displayed  by  Dr. 
Dixon,    and    the    amovuit    of    labor    per- 

27 


formed  by  him  in  the  preparation  of 
these  papers,  which  he  feared  must  have 
been  a  severe  tax  ou  the  doctor  at  his 
advanced   age. 

The  vote  of  thanks  was  unanimously 
adopted. 

Guernsey  Hallowell,  Esq.,  read  a  val- 
uable paper  on  Henry  Waddy,  one  of 
Frankford's  earliest  settlers,  and  the 
original  patentee  from  William  Penn  of 
much  of  the  land  now  included  in  Frank- 
ford. 

The  question  having  been  asked  as  to 
how  Frankford  obtained  its  name,  Rob- 
ert T.  Corson,  Esq.,  answered  the  query 
by  calhng  attention  to  the  fact  that  the 
large  creek  flowing  through  the  terri- 
tory of  "The  Frankford  Laud  Com- 
pany" was  formerly  navigable  for  boats 
as  far  as  the  settlement  six  miles  inland 
from  the  river,  called  the  town  of  the 
Germans,  or  Germantown.  The  creek 
naturally  acquired  the  name  of  the  com- 
pany whose  chief  means  of  communica- 
tion with  the  outer  world  its  waterway 
afforded,  and  Frankfort  or  Frankford 
creek,  displaced  the  Indian  name  of  Ta- 
cony.  The  village  which  sprang  up  near 
the  mouth  of  the  creek  became  known  by 
its  name. 

The  president,  the  Hon.  W.  W.  Foulk- 
rod,  called  attention  to  the  vast  import- 
ance of  waterways,  as  a  means  for 
transportation,  and  stated  that  last  year 
Congress  had  approprited  $88,000,000  for 
the  improvement  of  waterways  and  the 
building  of  canals  throughout  the  coun- 
try. Mr.  Foulkrod  spoke  of  the  great 
advantage  to  the  future  welfare  of 
Frankford.  its  near  proximity  to  the 
Delaware  river  would  prove,  and  stated 
that  large  business  interests  were  now 
buying  up  land  on  the  river  bank,  where 
the  waterway   was  always  open  for  the 

28 


carrying  nf  tlipir  mnnufncturcd  wares  to 
ni:irket.  It  is  found  it  is  iinpossililc  for 
railroads  to  carry  tiie  fni^'lit,  so  tliP 
openint;  up  nf  improved  facilities  for  the 
use  of   the   waterways   is   imperative. 

Miss  Mary  WriKlit  stated  "that  Europe 
was  a  network  of  <anals,  and  that  one 
could  sail  fi<iiii  tlie  North  S.a  to  the 
Black  Sea  aliins.'  inland  wat(M'ways." 

Mr.  Corson  called  attention  to  the  ef- 
fort made  some  years  ago  to  l)iiild  the 
Aramingo  Canal. 

Mr.  T.  Worcester  Worrell  stated  "that 
Stephen  Kemak,  n  noted  Thiladelphia 
lawyer,  at  one  time  resided  in  Frank- 
font  and  occupied  the  house  referred  to 
liy  Dr.  Dixon  as  liall  cottage,  which 
formerly  stood  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
Frankford  avenue  and  Harrison  street. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  rector  of  St.  Mark's 
Church,  also  occupied  this  house,  prior 
to  the  purchasing  of  St.  Mark*.s  Rec- 
tory at  Frankford  avenvie  and  Dyre 
i-treet. 

The  Secretary  read  an  extract  from 
the  minutes  of  Abington  Meeting  in  refer- 
ence to  the  place  where  the  meeting  was 
held  in  1(">88,  at  which  the  protest  against 
slavery  was  adopted.  The  minutes  of 
First  month  .'51,  H!S7,  state  that  month- 
ly meetings  be  kept  at  the  house  of 
Richard  Worrell,  .Jr.,  at  (Jermantown, 
Byberry,  O.vford,  and  at  the  house  of 
Richard  Wain,  the  elder,  at  Chelten 
Lane."  Ridianl  Worrell,  Jr.,  lived  in 
Lower  Dublin  township,  as  it  is  stated 
in  the  records. 

Miss  Mary  Wright  stated  that  Mary  S. 
Lippincott  in  her  genealogy  of  the  Shoe- 
maker family  says  the  meeting  at  which 
this  protest  against  slavery  was  adopted 
was  held  at  the  house  of  her  ancestor, 
Richanl  Wain,  the  elder,  at  Cheltenham. 

ilr.  Wm.  Ilagaman  stated  that  as  ear- 

29 


]y  as  1G84  meetings  were  held  in  the 
Log  Meeting  House  erected  on  the 
ground  where  the  present  Friends'  Meet- 
ing stands,  at  Unity  and  Wain  streets. 
After  meeting  houses  were  erected,  the 
holding  of  meetings  in  private  houses  was 
discontinued.  It  was  therefore  im- 
probable, in  Mr.  Hagaman's  judgment, 
that  if  that  particular  meeting  had  boon 
held  in  Frankford,  it  would  have  been 
held  in  the  private  house  of  Richard 
Worrell.  This  is  also  to  be  inferred 
from  the  extract  of  the  minutes  of  Abing- 
ton  meeting  just  Quoted.  The  private 
house  of  Richard  Worrell,  Jr.,  and  the 
private  house  of  Richard  Wain,  the  el- 
der, at  Cheltenham,  are  designated  as 
places  for  the  holding  of  meetings,  but 
meeting  houses  must  have  been  built  in 
Germantown,  Byberry  and  Oxford,  for  in 
these  cases  no  private  house  is  men- 
tioned. 

The  subject  was  continued  for  further 
discussion.  Mr.  Franklin  Smedley  stat- 
ed that  he  had  learned  through  exam- 
ining some  old  papers  that  the  meeting 
in  Frankford  was  known  as  Oxford 
Meeting  until  1805,  when  the  name  was 
changed  to  Frankford  Meeting.  This 
was  shortly  after  the  incorporation  of  a 
portion  of  Oxford  township  into  the  bor- 
ough of  Frankford. 

The  question  being  asked  as  to  the 
location  of  Sarah  Seary's  house  at  which 
meetings  were  held  at  an  early  date,  Mr. 
Guernsey  Hallowell  replied  by  stating 
that  the  Seary  tract  lay  on  the  west  side 
of  Bristol  turnpike,  beginning  at  about 
Devereaux  street,  and  extending  north 
to  the  Township  line  or  Cottman  street. 

Mr.   Thomas   Simpson  presented  a  list 

of  over  fifteen  hundred  names  of  men  of 

Frankford   and  its  vicinity  who   enlisted 

as  soldiers  in  the  Civil  War.    It  is  esti- 

30 


mated  that  over  tlirop  tlionsnml  men  i>f 
Frnnkfonl  enlisted  for  service  in  tlio 
iiiiny  dnriiii:  tlie  war.  It  is  Imped  the 
imldicatiini  of  tiie  list  will  result  in  nd- 
diiioiis  to  the  ninnher  already  olitaiued. 

Mr.  Charles  W.  Castor  presented  the 
soeiety  a  copy  of  the  Ilev.  John  Beeke- 
wi'jder's  hook  on  '"The  manners  and  cus- 
toms of  the  Indian  nations  who  once  in- 
habited Pennsylvania  and  nei^rhhorinj,' 
States."  This  book  was  published  by  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society  in  18H!. 
Mr.  Castor  also  presented  a  collection  <if 
valuable  papers  for  the  scrap-book.  The 
secretary  was  desired  to  convey  to  Mr. 
Castor  the  thanks  of  the  society  for  his 
valuable  gift. 

Mr.  Lincoln  Cartledjre  presented  a  fine 
photograph  of  the  grave  of  Thomas 
Holme   in    Holme.sburg. 

Tlio  secretary  was  requested  to  thank 
Mr.  Cartledge  for  the  picture. 

There  being  no  other  business,  the 
meeting  adjourned. 

ELEANOR  E.  WRIGHT,  See. 


31 


Papers  Read 


BEFORE   THE 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

of  Trankford. 


Vol.  1.       No.  5. 


Frankford  Soldiers  Who 
Enlisted  jnjlie  Civil  War 


REPRINTED    FROM 

"THE  FRANKFORD  GAZETT8" 

IQOT. 


^ 

^ 


Frankford  Soldiers  Who 

Enlisted  in  tlie 

Civil  War. 


23rd  Penna.  Vols.,  3  years 
Regiment. 

COL.    BIRXEY. 

Joseph  J.   Bateinan  William    W.    Mllford 

Isace    E.    Osbouni  .IpssIo  Cornell 

Charles   P.    Lukeiis  EtI.    V.    Eiscnbach 
John    Sarch 


26th  Penna.  Vols.,  3  years 
Regiment. 

COL.    SMALL. 

Capt.  James  Head  Lt.   Wm.   B.  Snow 

Edw.   Montgomery  Lt.    A.    G.    Knwlund 

S.    P.    VV'hartiiaby  Edward   Harrington 

John     Whartnaby  Wllllain     (iordou 

William    Hardy  Manning;   Kuc 

William   l»earuon  Wiu.    Ealrhurst 

John    Gnrllch  Adam    Guthrie 

William    Pilling  John    Hope.    Sr. 

('has.   G.   Marshall  Richard    Barwi.s 

William   Tolbert  tleor^e  W.    Henry 

Qua.    John    Adler  Joseph    Leshor 

Geo.    W.    Tomllnson  Charles    Holdeu 

Thirst   Low  Wlllinm   H.   Doraey 


27th  Penna.  Vols.,  3  years 
Regiment. 

COL.   EINSTINR. 

Chas.   Elmer  William    Poll 

Joha  Smedley  Samuel  Jobnsoa 


28th  Penna.  Vols.,  3  years 
Regiment. 


OOL.  GEARY. 
12th  Array  Corps. 


John  W.   OensU 
Sauiuel   MeuiK 
Joseph    Ancluiff 
Edward    Kale 
Lt.   William  Coons 
Jacolj    Bender 
James  Carter 
Uoltert    Dingles 
Louis  Moore 
Owen  McCool 
Charles    A.    Wright 
Thomas  Wright 
Samuel   P.    Swo|)e 
James  D.   Butcher 
Thomas  Butcher 
Capt.   C.   S.    Hartley 
David  B.   Ililt 
George  H.   Slnkler 
Lt.    jas.    R.    Stanley 
Francis    E.    Riley 
George  Layton 
John    M.    Pickel 
Robert    G.    Davl.s 
John   B.   Goullat 
Ruben    Carney 
Thomas    Knock 
Major  Wni.  Raphael 
Holmeeburg 
Gilbert   Kirk 
Michael    Fitzpatrlck 
James  Sinclair 
Ferdinand    Stearn 


Charles    Ilickey 
Alfred    Scott 
Frederick    Bickel 
John   Bouier 
Wm.    Baxcudine 
Thomas   Gilbert 
Gerald   Lee 
William  McDowell 
John  Scott 
Chas.  n.  Wunderley 
Henry   T.    Stanwood 
George    Grady 
Alvron    Smith 
Lewis    P.    Castor 
(i.    B.    Frederick 
George   E.    Swope 
Jesse    Vandegrift 
Wm.    Vaudcgrlft 
Levi     Vandegril't 
James    Vandegrift 
All  from  Bride.sburg 
John    W.    Ramsdeu 
Frank    B. Wunderley 
John   Ashton 
(i.    AV.    Drake,    mus. 
<}eorge   Milles 
Henry  Horrocks 
James    Davidson 
John    McCall 
Nathan    Ulmer 
Oxford   Church 
George  W.  Ayres 


JOHN    BASTIAN. 


Samuel  Roscoe 
John  Jonea 


Frank  Castor. 


Wesley  Milea 
Arman  Anchor 


29th  Penna.  Vols.,  3  years 
Regiment. 


COIi.  MURPHY. 


William  Boone 
Cerevantes   Smith 
George   Goodman 
Albert   Burgln 
James  Donnely 
Randolf    Nelson 
James    Haskins 


Herman   Anker 
Joseph  Fuller 
W.    Burger,    music. 
Henrv    P.    Tyler 
Isace  Wilt 
Andrew    McPherson 
Samuel  Riley 


Knapp's  Battery. 


Penna.  Vols. 

Joseph  McBride 
George  Edwards 


3  years  Regt. 
Thomas^  Gilbert 


30th  Rei|t.   Penna.  Vols,  or 
1st  Reg.  Penna.  Reserves. 

(3  Years  Regt.) 

Krniikford.  I'rankford. 

.7oh:i    Blaiii  ll'inv     r.i-ii;i,'H 

Will.    ISradloy  .iM-ipli    I'.nnllt'y 

Joseph    «.'.    Knox  Tvrus  ().    l)anlfl 
Capt.    Al.    (jiilglcv 


31st   Penna.  Vols,  or  2ncl 
Regt.  Penna.  Reserves. 

(3  Years  Regt.; 

rUilm('sl>urj,'.  Holmosburg. 

Frnnk    Williams  'riioiuas    Viniostf-n 

.ToUn    Williauia  .riisc|>ii   VaiiosltMi 

James    West  Alfreil  Vanosten 

Thomas    H.    Neilrt  F:d\vard   Luckman 


32ncl  Penna.  Vols. 

Kiiowu  as  3rd   Kful.   Peuna.   Ueserves. 
Ilolmesburs  Co.,  3  years  Regt. 

Lt.    Col.    John    Clark  Johu  Lynn 

Capt.  Uob'rt  Johiisou  Charles    .MoCready 

lid  Lt.  a.  U.  LIudsay  .Mfrrd    Ilains 

l.'it  Lt.T.  U.  Uamt'onl  Waueii  Uartlow 

I'd  Lt.   Ed.   A.  Glenn  ^Villiam   R.  AshtoD 

Harry  S  Jones  .Vnios   O.   Taylor 

John    Blaker  Samuel    nushnell 

.Virred    R.    Day  James   Boyd 

<"harled    W.    Stout  tieorire    L^ce 

Dennis  C.   l>ugan  Mlcha.-l     Welsh 

Ja<-(>1>   n.    Martindale  Harry  C.   Whlcher 

Jacoli   A.    .TohusdU  Jesse   DieUens 

llichard  P.   Wright  Martin    Mat.erry 

(Jeorge  Vanhoru  C.-dfce   Miwney 

Kdward   Tustin  David  M.  Wilson 

J(ihn  R.   Warmer  (Jeorye  T.    Mills 

Kdward   <2.    Ilaines  John    W.    I"let<her 

Robert    Clark  William    W.    Solly 

Joseph   II.   Wells  Tiistin    Hoileiiii 

William    Clark  Uweu   Arimaii 

Jesse    Wells  John    Johnson 

(ieorse   Wells  Krederiek    SnItzer 

Amos    Kekley  .loseph    L.    Toy 

John    T.    Eekley  Samuel  Flemlnc 

Jaeob  Tlinmas  William     L.     Nfeld 

Willi.Tm   Shaw  r.enjamin    ridi>oek 

David  R.  I'.enuett  Ja.snn     I'l  Irock 

Jr.hn    P..   Clifft  Jidu)    McPride 

*  harles    Dewees  Charles     II.     .NIch 

"William  Downing  Luther   Krloston 

Isaae    AculT  Jam.-s   Travis 

James    P.    lirowu  I'.lijah    L.    Toinllnson 

Siinuiel    P.    Ward  William    Atkinson 

William    Cripps  Samuel  Yonker 


James    Boulton  Richard   Bambrlck 

Michael  Dugan  Heury  B.  Weed 

John  Fulertou  Robt.    B.    Saul 

Lanford  Williams  Harry    K.    HofP 

Lynford  A.  Fiulayson  Frederick   C.    Miller 

William  H.  Burger  William  Thompson 

Nelson  Schemaley  Robert   Wilson 

William   Ryan  Samuel   Cartledge 

John    Clinton  George  Morgan 

David   Scott  John    Stack 

Beasley   Scott  Matthew  Cochran 
Benjamin   Ackley 


33rd  Regt.  Penna.  Vols. 

or  4th  Regt.   Pa.  Reserves,  3  years. 
William   Shew,   Bridesburg. 


36th  Regiment,  Penna  Vols. 

or  7th  Regt.  Pa.  Re  serves,  3  years. 
John   W.   Thomas. 


49th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols. 

3-year  Regt. 
Jacob  T.  Derr. 


51st  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols. 

3-year    Regt. 

Col.  John  F.  Hartranft. 
John  Dickel. 


56th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols. 

3  years  service. 
Col.  Sullivan  A.  Meredith. 
Thomas  O.  Enoch,  Fraukford 


59th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols. 

3  years  service. 
Col.  R,  Butler  Price. 
James  Waldron,   Frankford 


68th  Regiment,  Pcnna.  Vols. 

Scott  Legion.       3  years. 

Col.  Tippcn. 

Kraiikf'inl  Frnnkford 

Siiniiiel   .SluitllL'Wortli  .(osopli  'I'json 
^\■(>^lhill^;t(>ll  llaldwlii   Sgl.    lliiis.    F.   Crnpp 
.Idsepli    .Moss  Geo.   W.   Scntlergood 

.Ini'l    L.    Mosa 


69th  Regiment,  Penna.  Vols. 

riillii.    ISrigaiU'.      .J  \oars  siTvltf. 

Col.  Owens. 

Fr.TiiKford  Fiaiikford 

Silas    Daniels  Tinuitliy  I'urr 

l>;\nipl  Williams  Titus   Tliouiaa 
\\'iniaui    Aiisllu 


71st  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3  Years  Regt.) 
(Baker's  California   Regiment.) 
Colonel  Baker  killed  at  Balls  Bluff,  Va. 
First    organized    coniijany    left    Frank- 
ford  for  the  seat  of  war: 
Ritman,  Geo.  L.        McKinley,  Hugh. 
Williams,  Joseph.      McErlain,  Anthony. 
Ilibbs,  Frank  B.        McCartor.    W.    B. 
Whitecar,  Geo.  C.     -Myers,   Henry. 
Knorr,  Samuel.  Maywood,  John  M. 

Sniallwood,  Jacob  T.Osbornc,  John. 
(!rei,'i)ry,  Timothy  L.I'rice,   Riuulnlph. 
Itanilall,  .Sewall.  Tenn,   Abraham. 

Hunt.   Elijah  R.         Rhile,  Henry. 
Hartley,  Wm.  Dupree,  Charlea. 

Hausoman.  Aug.         Dungan.   Frank. 
Magill.  Oliver.  Kntwistle,   Jos. 

Greth.  S.  S.  Evans,  John. 

Wade.  Franklin.         Freek,  Jacob. 
Blakeny.  Thos.  J       Fisher.  John. 
Wilson,  Wm.  Greg.son,   George. 

P.oughton.  Stiles  H.  Guthrie,    Adam. 
Everts,  Fredk.  <^ale.    Alexander, 

Reel.  Henry.  Hartley,    Richd. 

Palmer,   Thos.  Hafer.   ("liarles. 

Eckersley,  Jas.  Hogan.  John. 

Evans.  Louis.  Hart.  George. 

P.utterworth,   Jas.     Johnson,  Burton  P 
E.-unonce,  Chas.  Jackson.  James. 

Angleman,  Geo.  Kohlhund.  Geo.  J. 

6 


Batt,  Wm. 
Boyle,  John. 
Brett,   Emmet.  ' 
Bromley,  Wm. 
Brown,   Wm. 
Castor,  Henry. 
Carty,  Nicholas. 
Clegg,  James. 
Cassiday,  Jas.  P. 
Chipman,  David. 
Donnelly,  John  D. 
Dearden,    James. 
Aukland,  Geo. 
Bact,  Jos. 
Barnholt,  John. 
Bntcher,  .Tos. 
Barlow,  John. 
Barvis,  .John. 
Castor,  John. 
Candy,  Michael. 
Clausen,  Samuel. 
Chadwick,  Robert. 
Colebaugh,   Wm. 
Donnelly,   Geo. 
Dawson,   Isaac. 
Drexler,  John. 
Dutton,  John. 
Dawson,  Wm. 
Everts.   Gustave. 
Elwood,  Alfred  H. 
Ferkler,  John. 
Fulton,  .John. 
Grew,  James  B. 
Gibson,   .John. 
Greeuhalgh.  .John. 
Hacking.  Edward. 
Heap,  .John. 
Hoolcy,    Saml. 
•Johnson.  John. 
.Jones.   E.  M. 
Jefferies,  Wm.  E. 
T.ightfoot.   John. 
I^ever,   Geo. 
Liikens.  John  B. 


Lesher,  Robert. 
Layton.  Charles. 
Jjandenburger,    Sam. 
McAvoy,   Joseph. 
Mcl.,aughlin,    Mich'l. 
Mc:Millen,  Wm. 
^Morris,  John. 
Mallerson,  .John. 
Noamand,  Wm. 
O'lvecfe,  Thos. 
Patterson.   Jas. 
Reel.  Charles. 
Standing,  Richard. 
Smith,  Richard. 
Snyder,  Oliver. 
Shearer,   Jos. 
Stroup,  Jacob. 
Smith,    Robert. 
Smith,  David. 
Teese.  .John. 
Threlfall,    Geo. 
Wilson,  .John  A. 
Wilkinson.  Wm. 
Wells,  Henry. 
Watt,  Joseph. 
Zepp,   Henry. 
Pilling,  Thos. 
Vrilliams,  Andrew, 
Ilafer,  Adam. 
Shaw,  Wallace. 
Seavers.    Geo. 
Stuart,  Joshua. 
Stott,  John. 
.Stokes.  John. 
Slocum,  Crosby. 
Taylor,   James. 
Thomas.  Benj. 
Wilson,  .Jos. 
Williams.  Barney. 
Williams,   Danl. 
Zepp,  Thomas. 
I'ibben.  Isaac. 
?>IcMullon.  Wm. 
Edell.    Manuel. 


Haig.    Thomas,    A   Co.,    71st   Reg't. 
Stroup.  George,  H   Co.,  71st  Reg't. 
Enoch,    Thomas,    71st    Reg't. 
Williams.  Andrew  J.,  A  Co.,  71st  Reg't. 
Taylor,   .John,    A   Co.,   71st   Reg't. 
Samuel  Barwis,  B.  Co.,  71st. 
Thomas  Stevenson. 
Henry  E.  Peel. 
Samuel  MclMulJen. 


72nd  Penna.  Volunteers 

Col.  Baxter. 

Tliiul    Kent.,    rtnii.i.    Vol«.    Thlla.    Brigade. 
I?;ixt('r"s  Zouaves.    ;i  years  Horvlce. 

Frankfortl  Frunkford 

AHxTl   I,.    liiiii»;tiii  Wllllnm  Ka>;roe 

Lewis     l/cslier  I'liili|i    Henry 

John    McDonald  \V.   11.   Ulll.  Tucony 


73rcl  Penna.  Volunteers. 

Col.  Johti  A.  Koltes. 
.'J  years  servlc'«. 
Fraiikford 
Major    L(!o.    Schott        O.    ISaxendlne.    F'kd 
Jauies  I'erry  John   Uilt 


75th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  serviee. 
Col.  Henry  Bohlen. 
Alfred  Wonderly,  Frankford 


81st  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 
Col.  James  Miller. 

Frankford  Frankford 

William    Bald  .Tamos  Kershaw 

Joseph  E.  Carr  .-Mexandcr   Morrow 

Tboiuas  Redmon. 


82ncl  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 
Col.  David  11.  Williams. 
F.    L.    Hoover.    Fk'd     Sgt.   L.  V.   Klllott 
John    Larch.    Fk'd 


SSrd  Penna.  Volunteers 

:;  years  service. 
Col.  John  W.   McLane. 
Alouzo  Myers,  Frankford 
7 


84th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service 
Col.  William  G.  Murray. 
Charles  E.  Crawford,  Fraukford 


90th  Penna.  Volunteers 

90TH   KEG.    PA.    VOLS.    (3   YEARS 
SERVICE. 

(Col.  Peter  Lyle.) 
Frankford.  Fraukford. 

James   E.    By  ram,         John    Ilolden, 
Frank  Jenings,  Abraham    Lnudis. 

Samuel  Jliller,  Thomas  Kobinson, 

Charles    Hall,  Michael  Steiubaker. 


91st  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 
(Col.   Gregory.) 
Frankford.  Frankford. 

George    Davis,  Henry  McCool. 


93rcl  Penna.  Volunteers 

Col.  James  M.  McCarter. 
William  Oldfield,  Fraukford. 


95th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 

(Col.   GosUne.) 
Frankford.  Frankford. 

Charles  W.  Enock,  John  Reid, 

Lemuel    Enock,  Alexander    Mitchell, 

Joseph  Murphy,  James  Crocket, 

Peter  Murphy,  James    Walker, 

James   Deardon.  George  Shuttleworth, 

Samuel  Deardon,  Charles    Ree.se, 

Taylor   Caskey,  Robert  Owens, 
William    Eppenhimer,  Daniel  W.   Walton, 

Theodore   Cocker,  Samuel   Pilling, 

Wilbur  F.  Walton,  John   Bradley, 

James   Greenhalgh,  James   Carrol, 

Lawrence   Reiley,  Philip  Mendeuhall, 

William  Castor,  Joseph  Perry, 

David  Holdsworth,  Arthur   Lawson. 
Charles  Lafferters, 


97th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 

Col.  Henry  B.  Guss. 

Frankforil.  Kriinkford. 

Snmuel  McBrlde,  Eugene  Aldrlcb. 


98th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 

Col.  John  F.  Ballier. 

Major    John    W.    Bet-Klchard    Harwls, 

iiiish,  rctt'i-    llaliM's, 

C'ai>t.    Arthur   B.   Bea-Saiuuel   Haines. 

iiiish.  Kvaii    Uoble,    Holmes- 

William   Smith,    Sr.,         burg. 


99th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 

Col.  Thomas  W.  Sweeney 

William  J.  rhilllps,       William  Dengas. 
Samuel    B.    Phillips,     William   Talbut. 


104th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 

Col.  W.  \V.  H.  Davis. 

James  Hargreaves,  John   Thompsou. 
ItKiTII  KKC.  FA.  VOLS.  (.{  YEARS'  KEG.) 

John    McCaiu,  Frederick    HorU, 

William  II.  Abrams,  James    I'hilllps, 

Henry    Ncamoud,  John    Martin. 

John  "Boston,  Kicharfl    Settle, 

Thomas    Ward.  Andrew   Colwell, 

Johu  Cleary,  John  Outen. 

David   Allen,  Jacob   Booth. 


109th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  servict. 
Col.  Henry  J.  Stainrook. 
Theodore  Stroup,  Joseph  G.  Gray. 

John  Jackson. 


111th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  yi'ars  service. 

Col.  M.  Schlandecker. 

Jesse  Halluiau. 

9 


112th  Penna  Volunteers 

2nd  Penna.  Heavy  Artillery. 

3  years  service. 

Col.  Charles  Angeroth,  Sr. 

Frank  R.   Buckley,       John   E.   Smith, 
Charles   Conley,  William  Hope. 

Samuel  Barwis,  James    Gibson. 

Second  Pennsylvania   Heavy  Artillery, 
Company  G.: 

William  T.  Hope,  killed  at  Cold  Har- 
bor, Va.,  June  7.  18G4. 

Francis  R.  Buckley,  killed  at  Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  September  29,  1864. 

Samuel    Barwis,   wounded    at   Chapin's 
Farm,  Va.,  September  29.  18G4. 

Second  Pennsylvania   Heavy  Artillery, 
Company  E. : 

Charles    Connelly,    wounded      front   of 
Petersburg,  June  18.  1864. 

Company  F.: 

George  Tomlinson,   wounded     front  of 
Petersburg,  July  30.  1864. 

John  E.  Smith. 
James  Gibson 


114th  Penna.  Volunteers 

3  years  service. 
K.  Company.         Capt.  Charles  Collis. 


Roll  of  men  enlisted  at  the  recruit- 
ing station  of  Company  K.,  114th  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Infantry, 
at  the  Eagle  Hotel,  Frankford,  Pa.,  dur- 
ing the  month  of  August.  1862,  by  First 
Lieutenant  Edward  E.  Williams,  recruit- 
ing  officer. 

BORIE,  CHARLES,  Sergeant.  En- 
listed August  19,  1862.  Discharged  June 
7,  1865.  Wounded  at  Petersburg,  Va., 
April  2,  1865;  discharged  June  7,  1865, 
by  General   Order  of  War  Department. 

BRYAN,  EDWARD  S.,  Corporal.  En- 
listed August  30,  1862.  Discharged  May 
29,  1865.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

10 


BTTKIUf^.  PKTKR  IT.,  Corpornl.  En- 
listed August  •_':;,  ISGl'.  DischiUK'i'il  May 
29,    ISli.j.      .Mustort'd   out    witli   reKimt-iit. 

CAKWITIIAN,      DANIKL,      Private. 

KnlistL-d  August  120,  IStVJ.     Dt-si-rtfd  Sop- 
leiubor    1."),    ISC^. 

COOPER.  JACOB  S.,  Private.  En- 
listed August  ir»,  1S(>2.  Transferred  to 
A'eteran  Reserve  Corps,  Sei)teii]ljer  ','>, 
18G3. 

CIIIPMAX.  JOHN,  Regimental  Com- 
missary Sergeant.  Enlisted  August  22, 
18G2.  Diseliarged  May  29,  1805.  Mus- 
tered  otit   witli   regiment. 

DIMMK'K,  WILLIAM.  Sergeant, 
fhilisted  August  20,  18G2.  Transferred 
to  Co.  F.,  October  1,  1802. 

DAILY,  OWEX,  Corporal.  Enlisted 
August  28,  1SG2.  Discharged  May  29, 
1805.      Mustered   out  with  regiment. 

DAVIS,  THOMAS  G.,  Private.  En- 
listed August  14,  1SG2.  Discharged  May 
29,  1805.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

DUDDY,  MICHAEL,  Private.  En- 
listed August  18,  1802.  Discharged  May 
29,   18G5.     Mustered   out  with   regiment. 

DOKf^EY,  ALBERT,  Private.  Enlist- 
ed August  14,  1802.  Discharged  Ma.V 
29,  1865.    Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

DRUMMOND,  DAVID.  Private.  En- 
listed August  20,  1SG2.  Discharged  May 
29,  1805.  Transferred  to  Co  P.,  October 
1,  1802.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

DLW'MEYER.  FERDINAND.  Pri- 
vate. Enlisted  August  22,  1802.  Desert- 
ed. Wounded  at  (iettysburg.  .Tuly  2, 
1863.     Subsequently  deserted. 

FAUNCE,  DANIEL,  Corporal.  En- 
lii*ted  August  18.  1802.  Discharged  ^lay 
29,  180.").     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

FORREST,  WILLIAM  II..  Sergeant. 
Enlisted  August  23.  lSt)2.  Discharged 
May  29,  1805.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

IIORROCKS.  WILLIAM,  First  Lieu- 
tenant. Enlisted  August  22.  1802.  Dis- 
charged May  29,  180.'.  Mustered  out 
with  regiment. 

II 


HOLDEN,  FRANKLIN,  Private.  En- 
listed August  16,  1862.  Discliarged  May 
29,   1865.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

HUTCHENSON.  DAVID,  Private. 
Enlisted  August  20,  1862.  Killed  at 
ChaHcellorsville,  Va.,  May  3,  1863. 

JOHNSON,  WILLIAM,  Private.  En- 
listed August  18,  1862.  Died,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  November  19,  1862. 

KILPATRICK,  WILLIAM,  Private. 
Enlisted  August  18,  1862.  Discharged 
May  29,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

KELSEY,  NATHAN,  Private.  En- 
listed August  19,  1862.  Killed  Gettys- 
burg, July  2,   1863. 

KESTER,  DANIEL,  Private,  Died 
near  Falmouth,  Va.,  December  10,  1862. 

LEHBRR,  JOHN,  Corporal.  Enlist- 
ed August  20,  1862.  Discharged  May 
29,   1865.     Mustered   out  with  regiment. 

McCLINTOCK,  NOBLE,  First  Ser- 
geant. Enlisted  August  18,  1862.  Trans- 
ferred. Severely  wounded  at  Gettys- 
burg, July  2,  1863,  and  transferred  to 
Vetei'an   Reserve   Corps. 

MACKIE,  HENRY,  Private.  Enlist- 
ed August  20,  1862.  Discharged  May 
29,  1865.  Wounded  at  Fredericksburg, 
Va.,  December  13,  1862.  Mustered  out 
with  regiment. 

MESSENGER,  GEORGE,  Private. 
Enlisted  August  29,  1862.  Transferred. 
Severely  wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July 
2,  1863,  and  transferred  to  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps. 

MYERS,  BENJAMIN  L.,  Private. 
Enlisted  August  18,  1862.  Transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  September  8, 
1863. 

NAYLOR,  SAMUEL  M.,  Sergeant. 
Enlisted  August  22,  1862.  Discharged 
May  29,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

NIELY,  JAMES,  Private.  Enlisted 
August  21,  1862.  Discharged  March  30, 
1863.     Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability. 

12 


ORII.  JAMES.  I'rivntp.  Eiilislod  An- 
iiu.st  10,  ISti-*.  Transferred  tu  Co.  I., 
October  1,  lSri2. 

PTllCK.  .lOITX  T.,  Musiiiiin.  Enlist- 
pcl  Seitti'iuIxT  (i,  1S(>12.  Disc'liurKcil  May 
29,  1SG5.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

PERRY,  WILLIAM,  Trivat.-.  En- 
listed August  IS,  ISCii.  Discliarged  May 
29,  1805.  Trnnsforred  to  Co.  L,  Oe- 
tol)or  1,  18(52.  Mustered  out  with  rcpi- 
ment. 

OUINN.  JOIIX,  SorKcant.  Enlisted 
Aupust  18,  18ti2.  Discharged  May  29, 
ISG.").     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

ROGERS.  SAMUEL  C.  Corporal. 
Enlisted  Aucust  14.  18f,2.  Killed  Gettys- 
burg, .Inly   -,    18('.;?. 

RrBY,  THOMAS,  Private.  Enlisted 
August  13,  18(32.  Deserted  October  25, 
18G2. 

SCHOFIELD.  JAMES,  Corporal.  En- 
listed August  20,  lSt>2.  Discharged 
May  29,  IStJo.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

SHEPPARD.  CHARLES,  Corporal. 
Enlisted  August  18.  18(;2.  Discharged 
May  29,  18U5.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
lueiit. 

SMITH,  CHARLES  B.,  Corporal. 
Enlisted  August  i:i,  1802.  Discharged 
May  29,  18(35.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

SHERIFF,  JOHN,  Private.  Eulist^ 
ed  August  20,  18G2.  Deserted  Septem- 
ber 15,   1802. 

SHERIDAN.  MATTHEW.  Private, 
Enlisted  August  18,  1802.  Discharged 
May  29,  18(35.  Mustered  out  with  regi- 
ment. 

THORNLEY.  JAMES,  Private.  En- 
listed August  19,  1802.  Transferred  to 
Veteran  Reserve  Corp.s,  December  18. 
18G3. 

VANARTSDALEN.  S.  W.,  Private. 
Enlisted  Augiist  10,  18(32.  Deserted  Sep- 
tember 15,   1802. 

WILLIAMS.  EDMUND,  SergeaBt. 
Enlisted  August  ."30.  1802.  Transferred 
to  40th  New  York  Reg.,  March  27,  ISO.'l. 

13 


WHITE,  HENRY,  Sergeant.  Enlist- 
ed August  15,  1SG2.  Discharged  Decem^ 
ber  25,  1862.  Discharged  on  surgeon's 
certificate  of  disability. 

WARE,  JOSEPH  H.,  Musician.  En- 
listed August  13,  1862.  Discharged  Majj 
29,  1865.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

WILKINSON,  JAMES,  Private.  En- 
listed August  20,  1862.  Discharged  May 
29,   1865.     Mustered   out  with  regiment. 

WILLIAMS,  EDWARD  E.,  Captain. 
Enlisted  August  10,  1862.  Discharged 
June  11,  1866.  First  Lieutenant,  August 
20,  1862.  Captain,  August  15,  1863. 
Resigned  and  honorably  discharged,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1864.  First  Lieutenant,  17th 
Reg.  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  March  5, 
1864.  Mustered  out,  June  11,  1866. 
Wounded  Chancellorsville,  May  3,  1863. 

WELLS,  JONATHAN,  Private.  En- 
listed August  13,  1862.  Discharged  May 
29,  1865.  Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  July 
2,  1863.     Mustered  out  with  regiment. 

WILLIAMS,  WILLIAM  T.,  Sergeant. 
Enlisted  August  18,  1862.  Discharged 
April  13,  1865.  Severely  wounded  at 
Gettysburg,  July  2,  1863.  Honorably 
discharged  from  hospital. 

WEEKS,  WILLET,  Private.  Enlist- 
ed August  19,  1862.  Discharged  May 
15,  1865.  Wounded  Gettysburg,  July  2, 
1863.  Honorably  discharged  by  General 
Order  of  War  Department. 

WILSON,    CHARLES     B.,    Corporal. 

Enlisted  August  22,  1862.  Discharged 
September  30,  1862.  Discharged  on  sur- 
geon's certificate  of  disability. 

A  number  of  regiments  were  being  or- 
ganized in  Philadelphia  in  August,  1862, 
in  response  to  the  President's  call  for 
300,000  more  men.  The  retreat  of  Mc- 
Clellan  from  the  Peninsula  after  the 
seven  days'  fight;  the  disastrous  cam- 
paign of  General  Pope  culminating  in  our 
defeat  at  Chantilly;  together  with  the 
Confederate  army  of  Northern  Virginia 
threatening  Washington,  threw  the  au- 
thorities and  the  country  into  a  panic. 
Orders  were  given  to  hurry  the  uncom- 
pleted regiments  to  the  front  at  once. 

14 


y 


On  Septoinbor  1,  18G2,  the  114th  had 
seven  cuinp.uiics  completely  or^jaiiizt'd; 
the  tlueo  ri-niiiiiiinK  companies,  anions 
them  Company  K.,  liavinR  sixty  per  cent, 
of  their  fnll  complement  in  camp.  A: 
regiment,  known  as  t>clirlvor'H  Kegi- 
ment,  was  beiiij,'  recruited  in  West  Phila- 
delphia, b;it  it  was  still  very  weak;  it 
was  disliandcd  and  the  men  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  stronger  re;,'iuients,  and  tlie 
organization  of  the  114th  regiment  wu« 
completed  with  men  transferred  fnmi 
that  regiment. 

CASUALTIES. 

Killed  in  battles   3 

Died  in  the  service   2 

Wounded    in    battles    9 

Deserted    6 

Discharged    for    disability    [i 

Total  casualties    23 

The   aliove   is   probably   as   accurate  a 
history  of  the  company   as  can   be  com- 
piled at  this  late  date,  March  21,  ILMJU. 
EDWAIiD  E.  WILLIAMS, 
Recruiting  OlDcer. 


114th  Penna.  Volunteers 

Companies  I,  B,  and  C. 
3  years  service. 


CO.   I. 

Vanleer   K.    ISond  ("rosrentvlUc 

James  I^iyan  .Tolia    Morrison,   Crcs- 
Thos.   A.    Itayendale         centville 

Mieliael  BropUy,  Tu-  Chas.  T.  Malian 

cony  .John    B.    Mvims 

Robert  riia(Uvi(k  Jolin   MoCaiTiey. 
Jas.  Collin;^,   Taoony        Crescentvllle 

Isaac  Clegg,  Crescent-  Hasti  McAiiams, 

ville  Cresrentvillo 

Wni.    R.    Deckard,  IIiMiry  McCool 

Clieltenliam  .Tftiiii    Neamaiid 

Henry   Dewlierst,  NVni.  Orr,  Crescent- 

Crescentville  ville 

Jame.s  DevliUj  Crcs-  John  Perry 

eentville  Win.    Perry 

James  V.   Egee  W'ni.   Keun 

Flohneshtifg  Anctistna  Ulilnefelt 

Wm.   C.   I>.ee  Nicliola.'<    Stewart 

Ilolnieslmrg  I'nviil    Smith 

Edinnnd  nilis,  John    Seaver 

Cheitenhain  Matthew  SUowers 

15 


Samuel  C.  Ezee, 
Holmesburg 

Wm.    Grew 

Joseph  Gregory 

John  Galloway,  Cres- 
centville 

Robert  Harper, 

Holmesburg 

Owen  Hamilton, 
Creseentville 

John  R.   Hall,  Cres- 
eentville 

Henry  H.  Haigh 
2d   Leut., 

"Wm.  S.  Robinson 

John  A.  Hippie 

John    Hilt 

Thos.  Hawkins,  Som- 
erton 

Alex.   Holmes,  Fkd. 

John  Harrop,  Cres- 
eentville 

Aug.  P.  Houseman 

James  Kelley 
Tacony 

Wm.  Lauer,  Somer- 
toa 

Charles  I^yons 

Geo.  P.  Martin 

Samuel   Morrison 

Wm.    H.    Martin 

Patrick  Mulvery, 

Joseph  McCool 

James  Orr,   Creseent- 
ville 

Richard  T.  Shock 

Benj.   F.   Brous,   Fox 
Chase 

Jas.  Waugh,  Cres- 
ceutville 

John  T.   Ferris, 

Somerton 

James  Buckley 

Samuel  J.   Edgar 

John  S.  Ashton,  Mu- 
sician 


James  M.  Stowmau 
John  W.  Stowmaa 
C.    Seldarnbrigge 
Amos   C.   Toy 
Amos  H.   Taylor 
Joseph   Ulmer 
George  A.   Vanhart 
Geo.   E    Vanhart 
Based  Watt 
Joshua  S.   Wood 
Geo.  E.  W.  Weiss 
Frederich  Healing 
Albert  G.  Rouland 
John  S.   Croujlra, 

Fox   Chase 
Daniel   K.    Hartley 
A.  L.  Krewson 
Thomas  J.  Rice 
Chas.  S.  Randal, 

Cheltenham 
John  Hutchison, 

Creseentville 
Peter  Shields. 

Creseentville 
James  Lingerman, 

Somerton 
John    A.    Farr 
David   F.    Edgar 
Thomas   Lockhard, 

Fox  Chase 
William  Dorsey 

Chas.   W.  Ashton, 
Holmesburg 

Joseph  Achull,  Som- 
erton 

Geo.   W.   Altemus 

James  H.  Ayres 

Wm.  Bradley 

Geo.  W.  Bryant 

Jas.   E.  Butterworth 

Daniel   Boyle 

Ambrose  J.  B.  Burger 

Edmund  B.  Bradley 

Jesse  Bryan 


COMPANY  B. 
Chas.   D.   Gentry  Henry   P.   Gentry 

Wm.   A.   Gentry  George  Murry 

Edward    Dewees         Geo.   W.   Reese 
John  W.   Dewees 
All  of  Company  B  were  from  Bustleton. 

COMPANY   C. 
Wm.   Cowder,   musician.   Frankford 


116th  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3  Years  Regt.) 
Col.  Dennis  Heenan 
F.   Delaney,    Fkd.       J.   Lutz,  Aramlngo 
16 


118th.  Penna  Volunteers 

'  yoiir.-i  service. 

Col.  Charles  M.  Provost. 

(Corn  V.x.  Ilok't) 

Friinkfonl.  Frankforfl 

Joseph    U.    Tllihlii  Jacob    Ilallowcil 

lliMiiv    R.    Coli'baugh  Cfo.     A.     Klml)all 

J.iliii    Yost  Ulclianl   Alien 

Tlioiiias    Woodtleld  Wllllaiu    McCooI 

Lewis    Ilofrinau  John    Wnoilln'ad 

Jos.    L.    Siickelt  Joseph    It.vrani 

C\    1'..   liurkr,   Tacoiiy  J.  ("lark,  lloUupshiirg 

S.     Ilclvcrson     H'slin  Wm.  .\.-<liln:i.     Il'slu' 

L.    W.    Ayres    ir.<<hg  l.\  II.   Vandcgrlff,  ^' 

Howard  Snyder  Robert  Dyer 

Geort;e  Dyer  Lukens  Jobson 


119th  Penna.  Volunteers. 

C!   Years  Ue^'t.) 

Col.  Ellemaker. 

Frankford  Frnnkford 

npor?;e    AVoodcoek  AlU-n    Ililt 

ANilliani    Woodcock  (Jeorge    W.    Snow 

Thomas  Knight  George  Wood 


121st   Penna.  Volunteers 

Company  I. 

Col.  Chapman  Biddle. 

3  yeurs  service. 

Recruited  at  Frankford 

.\ugusl,   1S62. 


Capt.  James   Ashworth 


.TAMES  ASmVOUTlI.  CaptHiii:  enlist- 
ed Auk.  -■-'.  l>^'i-;  disrhargcd  Vvh.  !•►, 
lSt)7;  commissioned  .Major,  Apr.  'JO, 
lSt!3;  Lt.  Col.,  Dec.  11.  1!S(n{;  Colonel. 
Jan.  10,  IStU;  not  nnistored;  discharg- 
e<l  by  special  orders,  Feb.  10,  IStH. 
K^ulij-   wounded   at   (Jettysbnr^,'. 

JOHN  McTAGGART,  Orderly  Set.:  en- 
listed  Auk.  1'^.  1{^<>-;  clischarKed  June 
2nd,  18t)4;  promoted  to  1st  Lt..  Feb. 
10,  18t;4;  to  Capl.,  June  24,  1804; 
mustered    out,    June   2nd,    18U.5. 

JAMES  RI^TII.  1st  Lieutenant:  enlist- 
ed Aup.  22,  1S(V2;  discharped  Feb.  10. 
1SG4;  commissioned  Capt..  Apr.  20:  not 
mustered;  disciiarKed  by  special  orders, 
Feb.  10.  18G4.  Badly  wounded  at 
Gettysburg. 

17 


JACOB  LATCH,  1st  Sst.;  enlisted  Aug. 
16,  1862;  discharged  June  2,  1865. 

MALCOLM  MURRAY,  Sgt.;  enlisted 
Aug.  20,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865;  promoted  to  Sergeant,  Feb.  8, 
1865. 

SAMUEL  GIBSON.  Corporal;  enlisted 
Aug.  15,  1862,  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  COCKER,  Corporal;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  20,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865.    Wounded  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

JOHN  DODSON,  Corporal;  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1862;  discharged  Nov.,  1864. 

JOSEPH  WIIEELAN,Corporal;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  16.  1862;  discharged  Feb.  19, 
1863.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's  Cer- 
tificate. 

ALBER  LINDLEY.  Corporal;  enlisted 
Aug.  16,  1862.  Killed  at  Fredericks- 
burg, Dec.  13,  1862. 

JOHN  E.  SCHLAFER.  Musician;  en- 
listed Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865. 

HOWARD  ABRAMS,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  16,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  D.  BALDWIN,  Private; 
enlisted  Aug.  16,  1862;  discharged 
May  31,  1865.  Wounded  at  Dabney's 
Mills,  Feb.  6;  discharged  by  general 
orders. 

HENRY  BARWIS,  Private;  enlisted 
Ausr.  12,  1862;  discharged  July  14, 
1865. 

JOHN  BROMLEY,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865;  transferred  to  Vet.  Reserve.  Dis- 
charged by  general  orders. 

WILLIAM  BONSALL,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  16,  1862;  discharged  July  1st. 
1865;  deserted  Dec,  1862;  returned 
May  1st,  1865.  Discharged  by  general 
orders  War  Dept. 

JOHN  CROMIE,  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
15,   1862;   discharged   June  2,    1865. 

JOHN  CUNNINGHAM.  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865. 

SAMUEL  B.  CORE.  Private:  enlisted 
Aug.  14.  1862;  discharged  May  16, 
1865.    Discharged  by  general  orders. 

RALPH  R.  CUNNINGHAM,  Private; 

enlisted  Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged 
May  16,  1865.  Discharged  by  general 
orders. 

18 


EDWAKl)  I>.  rilirMAN,  Hospital 
Stewartl;  onlistrd  A  lit'.  M.  iy<">"J:  dis- 
charsi'd  June  2,  isri't;  jtroniotiMl  to 
Hospital  Steward,  Aug.  'S2,  18lili. 

SAMUEL  rOIJ,IXS,  V.r.  IJosprve 
Coi'iis;  ciiiisti'd  AiiLT.  1S_  ISli-;  dia- 
charKod   .Tunc  -.    ISt;."). 

CHAKLES  H.  COOrER,  rrivntc:  eii- 
listt'd  Aiip.  IS,  1W_».  Slarvfd  ti)  death 
nt  Andorsonville.  Dec.  4,  l.S(>4. 

HEXUY  r.  nU({AN.  Trivate;  enlisted 
Aii^r.  13.  18(J2.  Absent  and  sick  nt 
muster  out. 

FIIANCIS  DEVELIN.  Trivate;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  14,  1SG2;  discharged  June  2, 
1S(;."). 

CHAKLES  DAVIS.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  10,  18G2;  transferred  to  Vet.  Re- 
serve Corps. 

CHARLES  DTTRNEY,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  13,  1802;  transferred  to  Vet. 
Reserve  Corps. 

TATRICK  II.  DEVELIN,  Trivate:  en- 
listed Jan.  20,  1SG4;  discharged  May 
30,  18G5. 

LINFORD  E.  EXOCK,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  18,  18G2j  discharged  June  2, 
18G.J. 

WILLIAM  IIAMILTUX,  I'rivate;  en- 
listed Aug.  14,  18G2;  discharged  June 
2,   IHUo. 

EDWARD   D.    HAMILTON,    Private; 
enlisted     Aug.     15.     1SG2;     discharged 
Jan.    5,    18G5.       Discharged    ou    Sur- 
geon's certificate. 

ROBERT  W.  HARPER,  Private;  en- 
listed .Vug.  18,  1S()2;  disohargofl  Oct. 
1.  1SG2.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's  cer- 
tificate. 

CHARLES  HORXSBY,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  18.  18G2;  di.>^<'Iiargcd  Mcli. 
4,  18G3.  Discharged  ou  Surgeon'8  cer- 
tificate. 

JA:MES  HIr,TON,  Private;  enlisted 
.Vug.  1.".  18G2.  Died  at  Florence,  S. 
C   Oct.   1.  18(H. 

JOSEPH  JOHNSON,  Private:  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1862.  Died  Sept.  22,  18G3, 
at   Camp   Parole,   Annapolis,  Md. 

ROBERT  KAY.  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
14.  1SG2.  Killed  at  Fredericksbiirg. 
Dec.   13.   18G2. 

JAMES  LEE,  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
1"),  18G2;  discharged  June  2,  IS&j. 

19 


JOHN  W.  LEES,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1862.  Died  at  Brook  Sta- 
tion, Va.,  Dec.  6,  1862. 

JOHN  LAFFEETY,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Apr.  4,  1865.  Transferred,  date 
and  regiment  unknown. 

THOMAS  B.  DUCAS,  Private  enlist- 
ed Apr.  5,  1865.  Transferred,  date 
and  regiment  unknown. 

EDWARD  MARSHALL,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  8,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865. 

IS  ACE  MANN,  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
16,  1862.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's 
certificate,  Nov.  27,  1863. 

SIMON  MILLS.  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
14,  1862.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's 
certificate. 

WHARTON  MOODY,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  15,  1862.  Discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's certificate,  May  20,  1863;  lost 
right  hand  at  Fredericksburg,  Dec. 
13,  1862. 

DAVID  W.  MORTON,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  18,  1862.  Discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's certificate.  May  15,  1865. 

EDWARD  MORIN,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  16,  1862.  Killed  at  Fredericks- 
burg, Dec.  13,  1862. 

PATRICK  MAHARIN,  Private;  en- 
listed March  10,  lt)65.  Transferred, 
date  and  organization  unknown. 

PETER  McNALLY,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  20,  1862.  Killed  at  Gettysburg, 
July  1st,   1863. 

JAMES  OGDEN,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  18.  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

GEORGE  PIERCE.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

THOMAS  PIERCE,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865, 

JAMES  PIERCE.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  1862.  Killed,  June  1,  1864, 
at  Bethesda  Church,  Va. 

ROBERT  RAY,  Private;  enlisted  Aug. 
18.  1862.  Killed  at  Gettysburg,,  July 
1,  1863. 

WILLIAM  RUSSELL.  Private,  en- 
listed Aug.  13,  18(»2.  Not  on  rolls  at 
muster  out. 

20 


THOMAS  SIMrSON.Commissnry  Sst.; 
ciilisSod  Aii^'.  IS.  \St\'2.  Wounded  at 
Frt'deiickslnu-K.  Dec.  K?,  ISti'J;  (Jcttys- 
biirtr,  .lulv  1,  LS(i:',;  WilderiifS.s,  Muv 
iSt^i.  :iiid  at  IJoyd.-ii  I'laiik  Uond. 
MiUX'h  31,  lStir».  Distliiirgcd  by  geu- 
eriil  orders,  June  13,  1S(>."). 

AARON  SF/rrLK.  rrivat..;  onlii^tcl 
Aiifj.    13,     l.sCiJ;    disrliarni'd    .luiio    '-, 

Lst;."). 

JAMES  STO  IT,  I'rivato;  enlisted  Aug. 
13,  lS(i2;  disi-har^'cd  J  line  2,   IStl.'.. 

JOHN  S.  SKT'n.H,  I'livate;  enlisted 
An;:.    I'J.    18iiJ;    dischaitied    Juuo    li, 

iy(jr>. 

TIEXKY  L.  SIIOrK,  Privnto;  enlisted 
An;r.  11).  l.St'iij.  I)iscliar},'ed  by  special 
orders,   ^lay  15,   ISGo. 

THOMAS  STOTT.  Private;  enlist- 
ed An.?.  8.  l.Sti-J;  Died  Dec.  5th, 
1804,  Snulsbua',  \.  C. 

HUGH  SIHELDS.  Private;  enlisted 
March  10,  lS(i5.  Transferred,  date 
and  organization  unknown. 

EDWAKD  F.  TIKHIX,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  K),  1S(J2;  discharged  June 
2,  1S65. 

JOHN  TAYLOR.  Private;  enlisted 
Auj:.  IS.  1802.  Died  September  4,  a« 
Washington,   D.   C. 

WILLIAM  A.  VANMATTER,  Private; 
enlisted  Aug.  18,  1802.  Died  Feb.  13, 
18G3,  at  Annapolis,  Md. 

ALFRED  F.  WILKIN'S,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  14,  1802;  discharged  Juno 
2.   1805. 

FRANK  WORDELL,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  15,  1802;  discharged  June  2, 
isi;5. 

JOHN  B.  WIl.SUN.  Private;  enli.ste(l 
Aug.  18,  1802;  discharged  June  2, 
1805. 

JAMES  WELSH.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  22,  1802;  discharged  June  2, 
180.5. 

JACOB  WILKINS.  Private;  enlisteil 
Aug.  15.  l.St!2.  Discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's certificate,  Jan.  13,  18G5. 

JOHN  F.  WOOD.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  14.  I.stl2.  Discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's  certiticate,  Jan.   14,   18ti3. 

WILLIAM  II.  WRHtIIT.  Private;  en- 
listed Aiig.  15,  1802.  Died  Jan,  4, 
1803,  at  Fraukford. 

21 


JAMES  STACKHOUSE,   Private;  en- 
listed   Aug.    8,    18G2.    Discharged    by 
special  order,  May  15,  18G5. 
The    121st    Regiment    was    first    bri- 
gaded with  the  Penna.   Reserve  Corps, 
Gen.  Reynolds,  commanding;  George  G. 
Meade,     Division     General,     1st     Army 
Corps.     After   Gettysburg,   5th  Army 
Corps,   until  the   close  of   war. 

Total  killed  in  battle 10 

Total  died  of  wounds 9 

19 


121st  Penna.  Volunteers 

K  Company, 
Col.  Chapman  Biddle. 
Partially    Recruited    in    Frankford    by 
2nd    Lieutenant   Joshua   Garsed. 


JAMES  ALLEN,  1st  Lt.;  enlisted  Aug. 
6,  18G2;  discharged  June  2,  1865; 
promoted  to  Capt.,  Aug.  5,  1864. 

JOSHUA  GARSED,  2nd  Lt.;  enlisted 
Aug.  12,  1862;  promoted  to  Quarter- 
master,  March  6,   1863. 

ROBT.  MOFFATT,  Sergt.;  enlisted 
Aug.  15,  1862.  Wounded  at  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  July  15,  1>564;  in  hospital 
at  muster  out  of  company. 

MIFFLIN  D.  CORNELL,  Sergt;  en- 
listed Aug.  17,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865. 

ORREM  M.  SMITH,  Sergt.;  enlisted 
Aug.  18,  1862;  discharged  June  9, 
1865.  Transferred  to  Yet,  Reserve 
Corps. 

WARREN  L.  REYNOLDS.  Corporal; 
enlisted  Aug.  7.  1862.  Discharged  on 
Surgeon's  certificate,  Jan.  13,  1863. 

THOMAS  TAYLOR,  Corporal;  enlisted 
Aug.  22,  1862;  discharged  Dec.  3, 
1863. 

JAMES  NELSON.  Corporal;  enlisted 
Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  Aug.  7,  1865. 
Transferred  to  Vet.  Reserve  Corps. 

ALFRED  WHITEHEAD,  Corporal; 
enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862.  Died  Jan.  30, 
1865,  at  Saulsbury,  N.  C. 

MICHAEL  SHUSTER,  Corporal;  en- 
listed Aug.  18,  1862.  Died  Nov.  4, 
1864. 

22 


GEORGE  MATHERS.  Musicinn;  en- 
listed Sept.  2,  ISC.-J.  Transferred  to 
Vet.   Reserve  Corpsi,   liHili. 

HOWARD  ADAMS.  Private;  enlisted 
Aii^'.  1<J,  ISGli;  discharged  June  U, 
1S(  I."). 

WILLIAM  ALLEN,  rrivate;  enlisted 
Au.n.  7.  l^f.'J.  Died  at  Riebmoud,  V'u., 
Mar.  15,  18G4. 

TRAVIS  BrCKLEV.  Private;  enlisted 
Au.^'.    L'-_',     ISOI.';    diseliarged    June    li, 

I8i;.-.. 

JAMES  BROWN,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  7,  18(52  Discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's certiticate,  lSt;3. 

JOHN  BLACKBURN.  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  G.  1SG2.  Transferred  to  Vet. 
Reserve  Corps. 

JAMES  BOLTON.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  1(!.  1S(>2.  Captured;  died  Dec. 
2").  18G2,  at  Richmond,  Va.,  from 
Avounds  received  at  Fredericksburg, 
Dec.  13,   1SG2. 

CHARLES  CARTY,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  13,  18l>2.  Dis<harged  on  Sur- 
geon's certificate,  March  4,  18t]3. 

THOMAS  DUG  AN.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  24.  1S(J2;  discharged  July  14, 
18G5.  Transferred  to  Vet.  Reserva 
Corps;  discharged  July  14,  18G5. 

GEORGE  DEGITZ.  Private;  enlisted 
Nov.  9,  18U3.  Transferred,  date  un- 
known. 

RICHARD  ECKERSLEY,  Private; 
enlisted  Nor.  11,  18(j2;  discharged 
June  2,  18G;j. 

ELI.TAH  B.  ENGLISH,  Private:  en- 
listed Aug.  2!>,  18(12.  Discharged  on 
Surgeon's  certificate.  18G3. 

JOSEPH  GILLEHRAND.  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  18.  18U3.  Discharged  by 
special  order,  18G3. 

JOHN  HILTON,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  9,  18G2;  discharged  June  2,  18Go. 

DENNIS  HAYS.  Private:  enlisted  Aug. 
14.   18G2.     Deserted   July,    18G3. 

WILLIAM  KNOX.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  IG,  18t!2,  Transferred  to  Vet. 
Reserve  Corps.  18G3. 

THOMAS  KIKKWOOD,  Private:  en- 
listed Aug.  12.  18G2.  Died  April, 
18G3. 

23 


JOSEPH  REDMON. 

JOHN     MARTIN,      Private;     enlisted 

Aug.    22,    1SG2;    discharged    June    2, 

1865. 
DANIEL  MULLEN,   Private;  enlisted 

Aug.  15,  1862.    Killed  at  Gettysburg, 

July  1,  1863. 

ALFRED  ROGERS,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  18,  1862.  Absent  in  hospital 
at  muster  out. 

FRANCIS  E.  RYMER,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865.  Transferred  to  Vet.  Reserve 
Corps. 

HENRY  STONE.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  7,  1862;  tlischarged  June  2, 
1865. 

HENRY  STILES,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  29,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

WILLIAM  H.  SPEBR,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  21,  1862;  discharged  June  2, 
1865. 

THOMAS  STONES.  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  7,  1862.  Died  at  Audersouville, 
Oct.  8,  1864. 

BENJAMIN  P.  THOMAS,  Private;  en- 
listed Aug.  14,  1862;  discharged  June 
15,  1865.  Transferred  to  Vet.  Re- 
sierve  Corps. 

PETER  S.  WHARTON,  Private:  en- 
listed Aug.  12,  1862;  discharged  June 
2,  1865. 

HENRY  WILCOX,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  8,  1862.  Deserted;  returned; 
transferred,  date  and  organization  un- 
knovra. 

NATHAN  J.  BLACKMAN,  Private; 
enlisted  Aug.  7,  1862;  discharged  Mar. 
4,  1864.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's 
certificate. 

JOHN  GIBERSON,  Private;  enlisted 
Aug.  9,  1862.    Died  Mar.  29,  1863. 

JAMES  McDowell,  Private;  enlist- 
ed Aug.  9,  1862;  discharged  Feb.  9, 
1863.  Discharged  on  Surgeon's  cer- 
tificate. 

ALFRED  T.  WONDBRLY,  Private; 
enlisted  Aug.  30,  1862.  Died  May, 
1863. 

The  record  of  Co.  K..  121st  Regt., 
is  the  same  as  Co.  I.,  121st  Regt,  his- 
toi'ically. 

Total   killed    in   battle    7 

Total  died  of  wounds 9 

16 
24 


124th  Penna.  Volunteers 

i:;   Vciirs    llf>;l.) 

Col.  Joseph  \V.  Ilawley 

S.    Bowker.    Fkil  W.    15.    IJimkor,    lV))g 


130th  Penna.  Volunteers 

9  niontliH  UcKirociit 
Col.  Heury  I.  Zinn. 
M.    Leapson,    Cham    John   Kane,   Fkd 


138th  Penna.  Volunteers 

(.'5  Years  Service.) 

Col.  C.  F.  K.  Sumwalt. 

John    B.    Major,    Fraukford 


147th  Penna.  Volunteers 

(o    Years   Service. ) 
Col.  Ado  Pardee,  Jr. 
Fraukford  Frankford 

John   W.    Uamsden        William    Uavmond 
George  La.vton  Oeori;e  W.  Avrrs.  Jr. 

George   Garlich  George  BroaJveit 


148th  Penna.  Volunteers 

^3  Years  Service.) 
George   llessert,    Fraukford 


150th.  Penna.  Volunteers 

(.'5   Years   Service.) 

O.    Dunket-ley,   Fkd       G.    A.    Dlsou.    Fkd 
Willlaiu   Diinkerley 


152ncl  Penna.  Volunteers 

(o  Years  Service.) 
Edward  J.   Walton,  Frankford 

26 


174th  Penna.  Volunteers. 

(9  Mouths  Regt.) 
Col.  John  Nyce  Capt.    J.    H. 

2(i  Lt.  J.   Greenwood       Afflerbaeh 


179  Penna.  Volunteers 

(9  Mouths  Regt.) 
Henry   Oldflehl,    Frankford 


183rd  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3    Years   Service.) 

J.    Cheadle,   Frankt'd   B.    Rowland,    H'sbg 

Musician  S.    Hoffman,    Fkd 


ISGth  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3   Years   Service.) 
J.   G.  Yerkes.   Fkd        Levi  Wager,  Fkd 


187th  Penna  Volunteers. 

(6  Months   Service.) 
He  ward  W.  Palmer,  Frankford 


188th  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3   Years   Service.) 
Robert    Sumerfield,    Frankford 


192nd  Penna.  Volunteers 

(1    Year    Service ) 
Wm.   Tibbins,   Fkd        "William  Steam 
S.  Ramsey,  Fkd  Frankford 

Robert  B.  Stigal 


197th  Penna.  Volunteers 

(3   Months.) 
J.    Woodcock,    Fkd         W.  E.   Roberts 
Richard   B.    Selby  Frankford 

Robert  W.  Ramsdeu. 

26 


198tli  Penna.  Volunteers 

(1    Year  Sorvlco.) 
J.    V.    Hefsoii.    Kkd        .Toscj))!   KofTiuaa 
Will.    T.    liadrich  Fruukfurd 


203rcl  Penna.  Volunteers 

(1   Year  Sorvloi-.) 
Cbas.   Heury,   Krunkford 


213tli  Penna.  Volunteers 

(1    Ye.ir   Service.) 
n.    C.    Pratt,    Fkd      A.    Moore,    Fkd 


214  Penna.  Volunteers 

(1    Year  Service.) 

Franlcford  Frankford 

Ileury   Raymond  William    S.    Knorr 

Uobert  Lawsou  .Tames   Lawson 

Joseph  Gateson  Thomas    Casady 


2ncl  Penna.  Cavalry 

(3  Years  liegt.) 

Col.  Price. 
Privates  Privates 

Wm.  Hoffman  Samuel  Gwyne 

William  Pearson  Wiiilum    U.    Swelgart 

William    Uo(,'ers  Ueiijamiu  Joiie.s 

Jamei  P.  Jiickson  William  McMuUen 

Lit.  Frank  J.  DuiiKan  James  W.  Uibgon 


3rcl  Penna.  Cavalry 

(;i  Years  Rest.) 
A.  Barlow,  Private     C.   J.    Phllipps,   P'te 


5th  Penna.  Cavalry 

U'>  Y'ears  Uegt.) 
Privates  Privates 

Theodore  F.   Weiss        Albert   F.   Slpes 
Alfred  Krier  William    Myers 

William   Baltzel  Brldesburg 

27 


6th  Penna.  Cavalry 

3  years  regiment 
Col.  Richard  Rush 


J.  S.  Elliott,   C'r  Sgt. 

Priva  tes 
William   Gitterson 
John  SimpsoD 
Joel    J.    Hallowell 
Thomas  Swope 
William   Rogers 
Harrison   Sballeross 
Edward  Stradling 
Abednego    Howarth 
Osgod,  Welsh,  Lt. 

Privates 
Osbourn   Scott 
Richard  Ward 
William    Ru.ssum 
Samuel  R.  Todd 


Privates 
James    Getty 
John    Greenhalgh 
Frank   D.   Dorsey 
Frederick  T.   Fries 
William  H.   Johnson 
William    Greeuley 
Lewis   W.    Evans 
Joseph    Eckley 
William   Martin 
William   Playford 
John  Sidebotham 
Jacot)  Walton 
Robert  Cooper 
Joseph   A.    Byram 
Charles   Barnes 


8th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three   Years'    Regiment.) 
Col.  Chorman. 


Frankford. 
Quartermaster    and 
First  Lieutenant. 
Frankford. 
George   L.    Bragg. 
Sgt.,    Wm.    Bragg. 
Privates,   Wm.   Lord, 
Geo.     Williams. 
1st  Lt.,  C.  Clements. 

Privates, 
Wm.  Muuer, 

James 


Philip  Foy, 
Geo.   Besr, 
Alfred   Oat, 
Rol>ert    Murray, 
Wm.    McKim. 
Bugler,   G.  Patterson 

Privates, 
John    Kennedy, 
Jos.    Hartley, 
Sam'l    Tomlinson. 
John   Crotts,   Hbg. 
Burkle. 


11th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three  Years'  Regiment.) 

Col,  Joshia  Harland. 

Bernard  J.    Ward. 


13th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three  Years'  Regiment.) 
Col.  J.  A,  Gallagher. 


Col.,  J.  A.  Gallagher. 

Privates, 
George  Clark, 
Abraham  Tyson, 
Wm.  Camel, 


Jacob    H.   Dewees, 
Samuel  Smith, 
Peter    Moore, 
George   Adier. 


28 


14th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Tbiee  Yoars'   Kci;liiiL'iit.) 

Col.  J.  M.  Schnooniaker. 

Holnu'Sburg.  Alfred    IIoKlnnd, 

Capt..   Jr.s.    VV.    Ilall.  i:.l\v;ir.l     l.iikciis. 

First    Lli'iiti'iiiint.  John    \V.    Diitllflil, 

Harry    N.     lliirrlsDii.  Mordi'cla    Hcvans. 

Second     Lii'iitonant,  Amos     Vandpj;rltt, 

Casper   W.    Morris.  Wni.    Flemlnji, 

(Colored    Ro;;lnu>iit)  John    I'ldcork. 

1st.  Lt.,  Lewis  Hart.  Uohert    K.    Solly, 

Privates.  Jeremiah    Davl.s, 

Mnrmandyke    Foster,  Alfred     Johnson, 

Chas.    Cottman,  John    Carson, 

John    Hk'ks,  Jas.    Idillleld, 

Win.    F.   I'rachert,  Jeremiah    Davis, 

John    U.    Klsdoii,  Samuel    Jackson. 
Barnett   Snyder,  Biistletou. 

James   T.    Clark,  'NVm.     McMnllen, 

Frank   Duncan,  Oscar   McMullen. 


15th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three  Years'   Regiment.) 
Col.  William  J.  Palmer, 

I'rivates.  William   I'attcrson, 

John    Tweedale,  James    Thompson, 

John  M.  Gilmore,  Isaac    Shalcross, 

Lewis    Selgrade,  Henry    Uoherts, 

William  Kile,  \Niliiam  Johnson. 


17th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three  Years'  Uegimeut.) 

Col.  Kellogg. 

Baud    Leader,    Jos.    Whittington. 

19th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three  Years'   Uegimeut.) 
Corporal,   James   M.    Latimer. 

20th  Penna.  Cavalry 

(Three    Years'    Regiment.) 

Privates,  Alex.    Grecnhalch, 

Harry  R.  Johnson,  William   Rudd, 

Rol)ert    Getty,  Thomas   O.    Davis, 

Walter    Scott.  Joseph   Sheard, 

Wm.   B.   Stewart,  Wm.    Bratton, 

Thomas  Haigh,  Albert    Pidgar, 

John   J.    Donnelly,  Smith    Weeks, 

Albert  Nelson,  Wm.    Rogers. 

29 


Srd  Penna.  Artillery 

Penua.  Vols. 
8.  years  service 
Frankford  Frankforil 

Joseph  Woodington       Robert   Conaway 
Neamond    Lesher  William  Vanhart 

Edward  Wells  AVilliam  Davis 

Tliomas  Hippie  Patrick  McMenamin 

Roger  McMenamin 


2nd  Heavy  Artillery 

Penna.    Vols. 
3  years  service. 
Tomlinson,    F'k'dJohn  E.  Smith 


11th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps 

Charles  C.   Gold,  Frankford 

United  States  Colored 
Regiments. 

3  years  service. 

3rd  United  States  Colored  Regt. 
3  Years'   Regt. 
William    H.    Young        James  Gray 
William  Gray 

22d  United  States  Colored  Regt. 
3  Years'   Regt. 
Thomas   Trusty  Jacob  B.   Myers 

24th  United  States  Colored  Regt. 
3  Years'   Regt. 
Jesse   Pleasants  James  Butler 

George  Pleasants  Jacob   Scott 

Moses  Bedford  George   Butler 

David   Jackson  Elijah  Barratt 

Edward  Tilman  William  Massey 

Robert  Callahan  Samuel  Morris 

Isiah  Somers  Randall  Pleasant 

James  Somers 

25th  United  States  Colored  Regt. 
3  Years'   Regt. 
James  W.    Davis  Thomas  Trusty 

Thomas   T.    Davis  Gennet  Jackson 

Joseph  Lancaster  Silas    Little 

Charles   T.    Simers        Benjamin    Little 
Jeremiah  Muriy  Jacob   Little 

Henry  S.  Mnrry  Miles   Parker 

Ellis    Carney 

30 


Regiments  Unknown. 

.Tames   Leo,    Pciina.   ICuKt. 
Kic'lianl   Torpcy. 
.lohii    \\'l),'iial. 
Tliomas  Kauuctf. 
Jolm   (Jrow. 
llarp.T    HUt. 
I'atiick    Mahui-lng. 
('apt.    Hfiiiy    Uful. 
lU'iiry   llofl'iiiaii. 
.Taiiu's   ratltTHnii. 
.loliii   I'atu-rsoii. 

Aii^'ustiis   W.   Doale,   I'enua.   Uegt. 
WastilnKtou   Hilt. 


United  States  Navy  and 
Marine  Corps. 


UXITKD    ST 
John    Ilorrockg 
William  Martin 
.Tames   Gibson 
Napoleon   KiTsliaw 
Ileuiv    Miller 
Li'wis    1'.    Alk-n 
Samuel  McMulien 
James    Cooper 
(Jeorge    Putt 
James   Wilson 
William    Ciness 
James    Ferry 
Louis    Brown 
John    Hart 
Kn'^j'r.    T.    Brooka 
John  Johnson 
James  Ki'kersley 
Kilward  MacDonough 
James   Dean 
HmkU  Hatton 
(ieorge   I'eachy 
tieori-'c   I!.    Kambo 
Fireman    II.    Shcetz 
James    Wiley 
Michael   Fullen 
Capt.  Jas.  Johnson 
Alhert  Xelson 
Michael    HiMirin 
.I.ames  Fuches 
Army    ami    Navy. 
(!eor,:?e    Fredericks 
John   Boyle 
James  Cunningham 
(leorge    Croniliie 
Thomas  Donnely 
John   E.   White 


\Ti;S    NAVY. 

Ili'iiry   Burns 
Knuinoer  J.    Burns 
Harry    Bl;iek 
Thomas    Hope 
John     Hope.     Jr. 
Patrick    Kecnan 
William    Kclley 
Josei)h   ^\■heelau 
Kobert    Roekey 
Thomas    Nell 
Harvey   Miller 
James  Lou!,'hrey 
Jacob   Stroup 
(;iles    Barber 
John    Peoples 
Chief    Knj.'ineer    Wil- 
liam  S.   Kenworthy 
James  I.lneham 
i'harles  Llvezey 
K.    r.    Brownell 
Fdwin    Fnoch 
Wlilain   Swallow 
Thomas    Creen 
Louis    Britton 
Capt.  Wm.  Street 
Celiiiius    (?rew 
Thomas  Howarth 
James  Hanev 
Howard    Wilson 
I'llwnrd    Ireland 
Slllman    Perkins 
Charles    Pl;,'c>tt 
Jai'ob    Murray 
John     Hnu'hes 
Thomas   Cunningham 


UNITED  STATES  MAKINE  COBPS. 


Henry   Eckersley 
James    Hughes 
Jos.    H.    Kenworthy 
William   Elliott 
John   Donnely 
John  Klein 


Wlllam    MacElroy 

James  Farley 
John   A.   Ilucheg 
Jacob     Haines 
Charles  Smith 
Theodore   Smith 


31 


Special  Officers. 

Major  Isaacher  Pugh,  U.  S.  Mustering  Offi- 
cer;  stationed  at  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

Cant     Dr.    Robert    Burns,    U.    S.    Surgeon; 
stationed    at   fraukford    Arsenal. 

Dr     E.    F.   Lealse,    Examining   Surgeon  for 
Drafted   Men   at   Franliford. 

Capt.     Henry     R.     Allen,     Quartermaster 
Dept.;   stationed   at  Washington,  D.   C. 


United  States  Ordnance 


Daniel  Magiuley 
Wiliara    Donley 
John  .T.   Bray 
Henry    Stiger 
James  Clcary 
Mathcw  Cleary 
Hugh  Sulseman 
John  Dorau 
James  Shields 


Dept. 


Patrick  Burgin 
Joseph    Edwards 
John   Owens 
James  Larkins 
Jerry   O'Neil 
William    Marabach 
Cornelius  Markhaiu 
Corp.  Jas.  Waruer 


Enlisted    in   Regiments  Out 
of  State. 


Holraesburg— William  Slack,  95th  N.  York 
Vols.    Infantry. 

FRANKFORD. 

Robert  McDowell,  14th  N.  York  Vols.  Inft. 

Joseph  Edwards,  15th  Regt.  U.  S.  Regu- 
lars. 

Philip  S.  Gregory,  1st  Delaware  Vols.  Inft. 

Robert   Dunkerly,    1st   Missouri    Cavalry. 

William   Dunkerly,  Ohio   Regiment. 

Chfirles    Hamford.    Missouri    Regiment. 

Joseph  Hamford,  Missouri  Regiment. 

George    Ilauilord.    Missouri    Regiment. 

William  F.  Wordell.  16th  Illinois  Infantry. 

John  Maheiiug,  40th  N.   York   Infantry. 

William  Burger.  40th  N.  York   Infantry. 

Emanuel   Cunningham.   40th  N.   York  Inft. 

Aramiugo— William  Welsh,  40th  N.  York 
Infantry. 

32 


KUANKKOKI). 

Nkholiis    WliiRcrt,   401  h    N.    York    Infantry. 
John   (.'iire.v,   4lli    Mar.vlaiiil    Inrmitry. 
Henry  Shock,   l.'tli   Ui-k.   V.  S.   Infiintry. 
Jiiiucs    Shclds,    4«>ih     N.     York     Infantry. 

Surjieon     Gilbert      Mliikt-r,     Jlst     Michigan 

Ito^'inieut  Infiiutry. 
John  Deguuu,  40th  N.   York  Infantry. 
Neamond  Losher.  ;?ril  Ili-avy  Artillery  U.  S. 
ThoUKis  I'otts,   4th   N.   .Jersey    Cavalry. 
Chiuk's   Farr,    N.    York    Hattery. 
Theoilore  Smith,    V.   S.    UeK'ilars. 
An}?us    Aguew,   Srd   Maryhind    Infantry. 
Robert  Guthrie,  4th   Maryland   Infantry. 
Joseph  Wray,  rurnell  Legion,  Maryland. 
Robert    Greenhalsh,    1st    L'.   S.    Cavalry. 
Samuel    Wallen,    N.    Jersey    Cavalry. 
Lewis   Hen*:,   .'ird    N.   Jersey    Cavalry. 

Frankfcrd— Mathew    F.    Kijipux,    17th    U. 

S.    Infantry. 

Iloluiesburfj— Warrea  Kiusey,   23rd   N.  Jer- 
sey   Infantry. 

Frankford— Samuel    Getty,    4th    U.    S.    Ar- 
tillery. 

Frankfcrd— Ell    Bromley,    1st    U.    S.    Vet. 
Cavalry. 

HOLMESBURG. 
Robert  Patterson,  Tennessee  Regiment. 
Frank  Lowbrey,   Veteran   Regiment. 
John    Mills,   5th    U.    S.    Regulars. 
William  Enoch.  IMstrict  of  Columbia  Regt. 
Theodore  Enoch,  District  of  Columbia  Regt. 

FRANKFORD. 
Henry   Getty,   Battery    C,   V.   S.    Artillery. 
Samuel   Candy,   1st  .Missouri   Cavalry. 
David    Breet,    21st   Ohio   Regiment. 
Alexander  Dugay,  7'Jud   Illinois  Infantry. 
Isace  Wingert,   10th  U.   S.   Regulars. 
George  Hutzell.   Battery  B,  U.  S.  Regulars. 
■William  S.  Keuworthy.  .Ird  V.  S.   Regulars. 
Edward   Stigel    Maryland    Regiment. 
Ilolme.sburg— 1st   Lt.  Charles  J.  Smith,  Znd 
Delaware    Vols.    Infantry. 

FRANKFORD. 

Alexander  Harvey,   4th  and  0th   N.  Jersey 

Vols.    Infantry. 
Mark  H.  Hubbard.   ITth   Illinois  Vols.  Inft. 
John  Dovety,  2nd  Maryland  Vols.  Infantry. 
William   Holemau.   Battery   A,   U.   S.   Reg. 
Charles   Zimuicrman,   4th   Heavy    Artillery, 

L'.   S. 
Jacob    Zimmerman.    4th    Heavy    Artillery, 

U.  S. 
Mahlon   Scott,    1st    N.    Jersey    Cavalry. 

33 


Henry   Hause,   Srd   Delaware  Infantry. 
Thomas  R.   Rover,    1st   Kentucky    Cavalry. 
Cliarles  L.  Rover,  Ohio  Regiment  Infantry. 
James  H.  McKinley,  51st  N.  York  Infantry. 
Geo.  "W.  Shoemaker,  37th  N.  J.  Vols. 
John  C.  Fuss,  4th  Heavy  Artillery,  U.  S. 
Robert  Clegg,   New  York   Band. 
William    Smott,    Ellsworth    Guards. 
Robert  Ellis,   18th  111.   Cavalry. 
Chas.  W.  Stout,  3d  N.  J.  Cavalry. 
Benjamin   Harris,   5th   N.   J.   Cavalry. 
George  L.  Battersby,  6th  U.  S.  Cavalry. 
Harry  G.  Wiunemore,  1st  Port  Royal  Btry. 
John  Bromley,  3d  R.  I.   Battery. 
Michael  Farrell,  3d  R.  I.   Battery. 
William  Bourougs,  39th  N.   Y.  Infantry. 
Asbury   Core,  20th  Illinois  Infantry. 
John  Kennedy,  12th  111.  Infantry. 
Thomas   Lloyd,   1st   Cal.   Infantry. 
George  Morrow,   U.  S.  Regulars,   Infantry. 
George  Butcher,  158th  N.   Y.  Infantry. 
Edward  English,  23d  N.  Y.  Infantry. 
John  Stuard,  6th  U.  S.  Cavalry. 
Capt.  Lewis  Shock,  28th  N.  J.  Infantry. 
John  McKinley,  20th  N.  J.  Infantry. 
William  Williams,  21st  N.  J.  Infantry. 
David  Bryne,   1st  Md.   Regt.,   Infantry. 
Maurice  Rogers,  New  Jersey  Infantry. 
George  Rogers,  New  Jersey  Infantry. 
Lewis  F.  Smith,  4th  N.  J.  Inft.  (3  mths.) 
John  B.  Smith,  71st  N.  Y.  Infantry. 
Major  Wm.   McGee,  New  Jersey  Infantry. 
George  Fredericks,  5th  Ohio  Cavalry. 
Charles  Evans,  1st  Delaware  Vols 


1st  New  Jersey  Cavalry. 

Jacob  R.  Sackett,  Lieutenant  and  Cap- 
tain;  Fox   Chase;   one   year. 

Samuel  Walton,  Sergeant,  wounded; 
Fox   Chase,   over  three  years. 

J.  D.  Walton,  Sergeant,  wounded;  Fox 
Chase;   over  three  years. 

Jonathan  Johnson,  Private;  Fox 
Chase;   over  three  years. 

Samuel  Phillips,  Private,  discharged; 
Fox   Chase;   one   year. 

William  M.  Shaw,  Sergeant  and  Lieu- 
tenant;   Frankford;;   over   thi-ee  years. 

William  H.  Embery,  Quartermaster 
Sergeant,  Quartermaster;  Frankford; 
over   three   years. 

34 


Tlinmiis     Nice,      Private;      Frankford; 
over   three  years. 

Peter     Peterson,     Private,    diseliarKed; 
Frankford;  one  year. 

.T'lnathan      Jones,    Private,    killed;    one 
year. 

John    P.    Hart,    Private    Co.    D;    over 
three   years. 


9th  Regiment  Militia. 

3  iiiuntlis  rect. 
Organized  Sept.  O-IU,    1W2. 
Dlseharged  Sept.  20-28,  1862. 


Captain, 
Chas.  D.  Keiiworthy. 
1st   Lt,  J.  Shalero.ss. 
2d  Lt..  T.  B.  Taylor. 

First  Sergeants, 
John   W.   Swope, 
Edgar   H.   Stigal, 
Chere    Borle. 
Jos.   G.  n.   Miller, 
Edwin   A.    Castor. 

Corporals, 
Jas.    Thompson, 
Howard    Swope, 
James    Edgar, 
Joseph  Gregory, 
John   M.    Sterling, 
David  M.  Cassldy, 
John    Gray, 
Jacob  Jones. 

Privates, 
Wm.    Ashworth, 
Jacob   Ahrams, 
Win.    Alnsworth, 
John    Adunis, 
('has.    Briggg, 
Wm.    Bowers, 
Nicholas    Brown, 
Abraham    Barber, 
Edwaril  Burns, 
J.    S.    Batlersby, 
A.  P.   Broadbpnt, 
Joseph     Boltou, 
Alfred   Broadbent, 
Isaac  Clapp, 
James   Cooper, 
Mathias  Coats, 
JefTerson  Campbell, 
Robert    Dingier, 
Wm.    B.   Dixon, 
Fletcher    Dyer, 
Charles    N.    Kmery, 
John    P.    Ervlen, 
Kdward    Foye, 
Chas.   G.   Gilmore, 
Rlter   George, 
Robert    Greenhalgh, 
John    GlUlama, 
John    Greenhalgh, 
Ilenrv  L.  Greyson, 
W.   S.   Huckel, 
Joseph  Comly 


Wm.    Hamlll, 

Joseph    Holden, 
George   W.    Ileckery, 
Samuel   Holt, 
Cliarles  Ilalgb, 
Wm.    Irvln, 
Silas   Jones, 
George  U.  Jones, 
Henry  Kinsley, 
Joseph  Knorr, 
Wm.    y.    Kester, 
Jesse    Krewson, 
James    Lester, 
William    Lee, 
Kdward    G.    Lee,  Jr., 
Thos.  Miller, 
M.  V.  B.  Musselman, 
John   Mitchell, 
Edward    Mogrldge, 
Wm.   McCall, 
Thomas    Overlngtoa, 
Jolin  J.  Ploucher, 
Robert   Peoples, 
Joseph   Petera, 
Jacob  Peters, 
Harvoy    Rowland, 
Chrlstp.    Robinson, 
BenJ.    Rogers,  8r., 
Wm.    Roberts, 
Wm.  Rudil. 
Robert   Sprowls. 
James   M.    Shaw, 
Willliim    Shock, 
James    SutclifTe, 
Henry   Shiilcross, 
George    Shuster, 
Thos.    M.    Sayrea, 
Adam   K.    Stauger, 
Andrew    Shock, 
Kdward  Swope, 
Hugh     Shields, 
William    Solly, 
.lunies   Tomlluson. 
Lewis    Vanarstdalen, 
John   Wilcox, 
John   T.    Webster, 
Joseph  White, 
Joseph    Wilde, 
Wilson    Welsh. 
WilliRm  .\br»m8 

Frederick  Axo 

S5 


40th  Regiment  Militia 

3  months  regiment. 
A.   CO. 
40th    Regt.    Militia,    July   2nd.    1863, 
Discharged  Aug.  16th,  1863. 


Ct.  C.  D.  Kenworthy 
2d  Lt.  J.  Thompson 
Henry    Herbert 
J.    H.    Coniley,    Jr. 
Mathias    Coats 
Howard  W.  Swope 
William  Irwin,  Jr. 
Jeremiah  Battersby 
Musician    R.    Hunt 
Musician   F.   Harliius 
Abram    Barber 
Giles    W.    Barber 
Edward  Blaeliburn 
John  Broadbent 
Alonzo  P.  Broadbent 
William    Coulters 
Charles    W.    Castor 
William  Deardon 
Thomas   Evans 
Alliert   Elkins 
Henry    L.    Grayson 
Joseph   GatesoH 
George  W.  Hicliey 
John    Holt 
Samuel    Holt 
Joseph  Hoffman 
Moses  Hargraves 
George  Harvey 
Albert   J.    Johnson 
James    Kenworthy 
Edward   Kay 
Edward    G.    Lee 
1st   Lt.   J.   Shallcross 
1st  Sgt.  J.   G.   Miller 
James  Cooper,  Jr. 
John    M.    Sterling 
Joseph    White 
M.   V.   B.  Musselman 
Charles  Briggs 
John  T.   Stone 
William    Ashworth 
Frederike    Axe 
Nicholas  Brown 
Robert   Bolton 
Joseph  H.   Bracker 
Samuel  Bryan 
John   Boston 
Jefferson  Campbell 
Thomas  O.   Davies 


Fletcher    Dyer 
Richard    B.    Earl 
Samuel    Ford 
Charles  G.  Gilmore 
Robert  Gilmore 
John  A.  Gilliames 
William  S.   Huckel 
William  F.  Huckel 
Edward    Hardmaa 
James   Hughes 
Charles  Hope 
Joseph  J.   Knox 
Xajjoleon  Kershaw 
Joseph  Kinkerter 
Charles   Loyde 
Henry   Landenburg 
William  H.  Morris 
Thomas   J.    Myers 
Alljert  McCool 
George  Patterson 
William  C.   Rudd 
William   Shock 
Andrew   Shock 
Thomas  R.  Smith 
James   Sutcliff 
Joseph  Sheard 
William   B.   Taylor 
Joseph  E.   Vankirk 
Lewis    B.    Vankirk 
Theodore  F.  Wiess 
John    Wilcox 
Wm.  H.   Woodington 
William    E.    Lees 
John   Martin 
AA'illiam  J.   McKenan 
John     Nuttal 
Robert   Peoples 
William  Roland 
Adam  Stanger 
Robert  A.  Sprowleg 
Thomas   B.   Sprowles 
Thos.    R.    Shepard 
James  Thompson 
L.  S.  Vanartsdalen 
Bernard    G.    Ward 
Jonathan  White 
William    White 
Frank    Wilson 
Richard    Watmough 


James  Tomlinson. 


45th  Regiment  Militia. 

3  months  regiment. 

CO.   K. 

Mustered  in  July  1-6,  1863 

Discharged   Aug.   29,    1863. 

Capt.  John  Garsed     John    Jones 

1st.    Lt.    W.    M. 

Shoemaker 
2d  Lt.  A.  Holdea 


Henry   Kipple 
Frederick  Lancaster 
Edward    W.    Lee 


36 


Serjeants 
Williaiii    Muitlii 
Jaiiit's    IJ.    I)e;ir(Kia 
llarvt-y    UiiwIaiKi 
l>aiii<'l  Clllii-rl 
Hurry    T.   (iaisofl 

Corporals. 
Charlos    Whltscl 
Saiinit'l    Hnrwls,    Jr. 
Tlumia.s  Mad  ley 
lloury  ('.   Cocker 
.Tospph   Coleman 
Edward  (Jardluer 
Jauics   Ilogan 
.lohii    Ni'vll 
Kobort   Achuff 
Mu.sldan    J.    Kedman 

I'rivatcs. 
Henry  ISri^'jis 
(ieoifre  W.  BlRby 
Edward  I'.utcber 
Jami's  Brooks 
Saimiel    Barwls,    Sr. 
Jacob  Bait 
Jacob    Biu'K 
Hu);li    Coiutnl.sky 
John    H.    Campbell 
Walker  Cooper 
Frederik   Cook 
Theodore  Cficker 
Dennis    DanafT 
Jacob    N.    Drake 
John    Dyer 
John   I)e!irdoii 
Joseph   Drake 
William  Ellonhead 
Amos    K.     Ellis 
John    Flynn 
John    Fisher 
Robert    Getty 
William  <;ardiuer 
James    Gibson 
Dav.  W.    Iloldsworth 
John     Ilazlett 
Robert    Hilt 
William  T.    Hope 
William  Jeuks 


John  LlRhtfoot 
John    .Martin 
Samuel   W.   Miller 
John    .Mattlson 
'riiKinas    Mlllt-r 
William     .Metcalf 
James    Monahau 
James    Monk 
James  .Mc'rair^art 
.Michael   Mcl.auKhUa 
M.    W.    N.    Murmiy 

Privutes. 
John  McMullen 
Jame.s    S.    Lord 
James    Oldham 
Thomas  Orell 
Samuel   B.   I'hllllpa 
Jacob   .M.    I'eters 
John    B.    I'hillipg 
Samuel     I'rice 
Llewellyn  Roslter 
K.ih<'rt     Rimer 
L.iwreiic..    Uellly 
James    Ra.v 
James    Reed 
riiilip   Smith 
William  S.   Smith 
John  T.  Sndth 
John    Smith 
James    Settle 
James    Shaw 
John   E.  Smith 
Walter    Scott 
Adam    Statxman 
Charles    H.    Taylor 
Henry    C.    Thoiiipsoa 
Robert   A.   Taylor 
David   Whlttington 
David    Ways 
Samuel    Walton 
Joseph    Welsl) 
Alfred    Wonderly 
And.  J.   WilllamsoTi 
Geo.   W.    Waterhouse 

Joseph    Wooly 

William  Garthwalth 


192nd   Penna.  Volunteers 


(HX)  days'  service). 


Capt.    Wm.   Coon 
1st   Lt.    Wm.    Martin 
2d  Lt.  S.  J.  Griffee 
1st  SRt.  Jos.  C.  Knox 
2d   SKt.    L.    Chapell 
Robert    Guthrie 
John   Philipps 
Aliram   Barber 
John    Bradley 
Charles   Crocket 
Thomas   r>avis 
Charles     Davis 
Alexander    Galhralth 
Davl.l    Hendricks 
Edward  Hardman 
Thomas  Hardman 
Thomas   Hodfe'son 


Edward    r.    Gardiner 
Edwaid    .M.    Butcbec 
Waiter   Scott 
Edward  Hawkins 
Geortre   Laytou 
Albert    Roi)lnson 
Willlani  B.  Palmer 
Chas.    Botikher 
Thomas  Barton 
Isnce    Coon 
John    Deardon 
Joseph     Edwards 
Heurv    P.    Gentry 
JohnB.    Holdon 
John    H.    Huirhee 
Albert  Johnson 
George   Jenks 


37 


Peter  E.  Hodgsoa 
Charles    Lafeters 
William  Mathers 
William  Mills 
Jacob   Perry 
Hiram   Schlafer 
Alfred  R.  Stanger 
Joseph   Shaw 
Wm.    W.    Stern 
William  Wolf 
William  Wilson 
Daniel  Worrell 
William   Hearl 
Howard  Ward,  Bus'n 
Sgt.  William  Tubblns 
Thomas  Conlin 
John  Lavery 


William  Martin 
Thomas  McMullen 
Franklin   Otto 
Samuel    Ramsden 
George    Smith 
William  H.  Smith 
Edward  Summers 
George  Williams 
Jos.    Whitehead 
Isace    Wingert 
Dllworth  Weutz 
William  H.  Tibben 
Albert    Abrams 
William   Stearn 
Williftm  Gardiner 
William  Lees 
Franklin  Otto. 


S8 


Serg't  Fernando  W.  Stearn 

The  Hero  of  Fort  Pulaski. 


When  the  Civil  War  broke  out  and 
President  Ijineoln's  call  for  men  was 
issued,  Fernando  W.  Stearu  enlisted  in 
Co.  C,  2Sth  Penna.  Vols.,  as  a  private, 
on  July  3,  1861  at  Oxford  Park,  above 
Frankford.  He  left  Oxford  Park  July 
28,  ISGl,  for  the  front.  The  couipany 
marched  to  Tacony,  took  steamboat 
Trenton  to  Walnut  street  wharf,  and 
marched  to  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
station  at  Washington  avenue,  and  took 
the  train  for  Baltimore.  On  arriving  in 
Baltimore  the  railroad  oflicials  said  they 
had  not  cars  enough  to  take  all  of  our 
regiment,  but  General  Geary  gave  them 
fifteen  (15)  minutes  to  obtain  the  cars 
to  carry  us  to  Sandy  Hook,  Md.,  to  re- 
lieve the  1st  Regiment  three  months' 
men.  We  went  into  camp  at  Sandy 
Hook  and  waited  for  further  orders.  We 
were  soon  sent  to  Point  of  Rocks,  Md.; 
from  there  we  went  to  Nolan's  Ferry, 
and  did  picket  duty  along  the  Potomac 
River  for  about  a  month.  From  there 
we  marched  to  about  eight  miles  above 
Harper's  Feny  and  camped.  This  rec- 
ord covers  the  first  six  months  of  the 
war. 

I  continued  in  the  army  until  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war  in  the  sum- 
mer of  18H5.  I  was  in  the  following  en- 
gagements : 

Operations  on  the  Upper  Potomac 
River,  July.  1801,  to  March,  ISC'J.    Skir- 

39 


misli  at  Pritchard's  Mills,   Md.,   Septem- 
ber   15,    1861.      Actions    at    Berlin,    Sep- 
tember  19th   to   29tb.      Point   of  Rocks, 
September    24th.      Harper's    Ferry,    W. 
Va.,  December  19th.     Occupation  of  Bol- 
ivar  Heights,   February  25,   1862.     Lou- 
don Heights,  Ya.,  February  28th.     Lov- 
ettsville,   March   1st.     Capture   of   Lees- 
burg,  March  8th.     Action  near  Suickers- 
villf,    Mai-ch    12th.      Upperville.    March 
14th.      Ashby's    Gap,    March    15th.      Sa- 
lem, March  26th.     Operations  near  Mid- 
dleburg  and   White   Plain,   May  27th  to 
31st.    Action  at  Thoroughfare  Gap,  April 
2nd.     Action  near  Piedmont,  April  14th. 
Pope's  Northern  Virginia  Campaign,  Au- 
gust 1st  to  September  2.     Actions  at  Sul- 
phur Springs,  August  22  to  23.    Battle  of 
GroTeton,   August  29th.     Destruction   of 
trains  and  stores  at  Bristol  Station,  Au- 
gust   31st.      Maryland    Campaign,    Sep- 
tember 6th  to  19th.     Battle  of  Antietam, 
Md.,  September  17th.    Recounoissance  to 
W  inches rer,  Ya.,  and  skirmish,  December 
2nd    to   7th.      Action    on    the    Occoquan, 
December   19th.      Battle   of   Chancellors- 
ville,   May   1st  to  3rd,   18(33.     Battle   of 
Gettysburg,   Pa.,   July   1st  to  3rd.     Ac- 
tions near  Fair  Play,  Md.,  July  13th  and 
14th.     Manassas  Gap,  Ya.,  July  21st  to 
23rd.        Battles      around      Chattanooga, 
Teun.,  November  23rd  to  27th.     Lookout 
Mountain,    November    24th,    1863.      Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  November  25th.     Assault 
at  Ringgold,  Ga.,  November  27th.     Yet- 
eranized,     December    26th.       Expedition 
down  the  Tennessee  River,  April  2nd  to 
9th,  1864.     Operations  about  Rocky  Face 
Ridge   (Mill  Creek   Gap),   Ga.,   May  8th 
to    11th.      Battle   of   Resaca,    May   13th 
to  15th.     Operations  about  Dallas,  Pump- 
kin Yine  Creek  and  Allatoona  Uills,  May 
25th  to   June  4th.     New  Hope   Church, 
May  25th  and  26th.     Pine  Knob,   June 
14th  to  16th.     Muddy  Creek,  June  IGth. 
40 


Nose's  Creek.  .Tnin?  Ifitli.  Kiili/s  Farm, 
June  22iid.  Operations  about  Kcnesaw 
Mountain,  Juno  L'L'iid  to  rjOtJi.  Artiou 
near  Marietta,  July  3rd.  Chattaliooclile 
River,  July  Gth  to  12th.  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  July  10th  and  20th.  Hat  tie  of 
Atlanta,  July  22nd.  SioK'o  of  Atlanta, 
July  22nd  to  Septemlier  2iid.  Actions 
at  Pace's  F'erry.  AuRu.st  25th  and  28th. 
White  Hall  Road,  Noveiuher  9th. 
Marched  to  the  sea,  Novenilier  l.lth  to 
Dsrember  10th.  Siege  of  Savannah,  De- 
cember 10th  to  21st.  Campaign  of  thtf 
Carolinas,  January  27th  to  April  2t;tli. 
IStl.j.  North  Edisto  River,  February 
12th.  Battle  of  Bentonville.  or  Moc- 
casin Creek,  March  20th.  Marched  to 
Wasliington.  D.  C,  April  .",0th  to  May 
r.lih.  Grand  review,  Jlay  24th,  18Uo. 
I  was  wounded  three  times.  I  cap- 
tured the  Confederates'  standard  colors 
at  the  battle  of  Autietam.  Went  on  a 
spying  expedition  in  the  Lookout  Moun- 
tain. Campaigned  for  General  Hooker, 
and  was  promised  a  thirty  days'  fur- 
lough if  I  got  back  safely,  but  I  did  not 
get  the  furlough.  I  had  several  naiTow 
escapes  in  this  expedition,  as  it  took 
three  days  and  three  nights.  In  Decem- 
ber, 18(»4,  General  Sherman  asked  for 
a  volunteer  to  take  dispatches  from  Sa- 
vann.ih  to  Fort  Pulaski.  I  was  tht* 
only  one  to  volunteer.  I  left  camp  at 
10  o'clock  at  night  and  reached  Fort 
Pulaski  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I 
rowed  a  boat  with  muffled  oar  locks 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  Confederate 
ram  Savannah,  which  I  passed  safely. 
On  my  return  1  was  commended  by  Gen- 
eral Sherman,  who  named  me  the  "hero 
of    Savannah." 

FERNANDO   W.  STEARN, 
1-130  I'uity   Street. 
Frankford. 
41 


Muster  Roll  of  2ncl  State 

Troop,  Independent 

Cavalry. 


July,   1863. 


Allen,  R.  C.  Milnor,   Wilson. 

Brannin,   Isaac  P.     Mayor,    James. 
Baird,  James.  McCanll,   William. 

Buffington,  Moses.    Mooney,  Edward  W 
Blaker,  Frank  S.     Merkias,   Eli. 
Blake,   C.  H.  Miles,   C.   B. 

Battersby,  Geo.  L.    Moutanye,  A. 
Cripps,    Samuel   G.  Otto,   Wm.   H. 
Emery,   Chas.   N.      Roberts,   W.  E. 

Roberts,  Wm.  S. 

Reed,   Frank. 

Simmers,  T.  E. 


Farr,   Charles  G. 
Flinn,   Michael. 
Glenn,  D.   L. 
Giberson,   Wm.    R 
Griffith,    Franklin. 
Glenn,  James  D. 
Griffith,    Jas.    R. 
Hanle,    Joseph. 
Haigh,  Wm.  B. 
Johnson,  Jos.    K. 
Kester,    Wm.   Y. 
Knapp,    Thos.    J. 
Keller,   John   B. 
Lightfoot,  James. 
Murphy,    Wm.   C. 
Murphy,    Edward    R 


dimmers,   Robt.   B. 
Smith,  Jr.,   Chris. 
Sackett,    Jajcob    R. 
Swope,   Jas.   S. 
ShsJlcross,  Harrison. 
Vanosten,    Thos. 
Yandegrift,    James. 
Zagoti,  A. 
Welte,   Chas. 
Walker,    Alex. 
Weaver,   Fred.  C. 
Worrell,  T.   W^ 


42 


Papers  Read 


BEFORE   THE 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

of  Frankford. 


Vol.  1.       No.  6. 


REPRINTED    FROM 

"THE    FRANKFORD    GAZETTE" 

I  90S. 


i 


V  CONTENTS 

N  

^  [PAGE] 

1    A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  William  Welsh,  1 

(By  William  Welsh,  Jr.) 

A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Mrs.  William  Welsh,       16. 

Nso  (liv  Eleanor  K.  Wright) 

Frankford's  First  Schools  and  Schoolmasters,     28 

(Bv  Eleanor  E.  Wright) 

The   Public  Schools  -  -  83 


•^ 


(Bv  Miirv  Wiif,'ht) 
\ 


'     Minutes  of  Meeting  Held  Nov.  22,  1907,         140 


^ 


.4': 


A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 
William  Welsh. 

Prepared  for  the  HiHtorical  Society  of 
Fraiikford,  by  a  Son. 

WILLIAM  WELSH  was  horn  at  the 
northwest  roriier  of  Sixtli  nnd  Saiisom 
streets.  Pliihulelphiii,  Septeniher  2,  1807. 
His  father.  Jolin  Welsh,  founder  of  the 
Philadelphia  Bank,  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  merchants  and  largest  ship- 
owners of  his  day,  when  this  port  was 
the  coniiuercial  metropolis  of  the  United 
States.  His  mother,  born  Jemima  Maris, 
was  a  woman  whose  pure  and  beautiful 
character  was  reflected  in  the  really  good, 
useful  and  prosperous  lives  of  the  six 
children  who  survived  her.  Of  these,  the 
subject  of  tliis  sketch  was  the  youngest, 
and  his  life  of  seventy-one  years  proved 
to  be  by  eight  the  shortest. 

William  Welsh  did  not  go  to  college, 
and  his  school  education  (for  in  after- 
life he  was  ever  a  student)  was  completed 
hy  two  years'  residence  at  the  Clermont 
Boarding  Academy,  which  was  conducted 
in  a  building  afterward  destroyed  by  tire, 
and  the  niins  of  which  were  for  many 
years  a  landmark  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  Nicetown  and  Hart  lanes.  He  loved 
to  recall  those  days,  when  the  waters  of 
the  Wingohocking  were  unpolluted,  and 
the  big  boys  dived  in  the  deep  hole,  from 
'•Schively's  Rock,"  while  the  smaller  ones 
were  restricted  to  the  safer  shoals  of 
"Sandy    Bottom,"    higher    up    the    creek, 

1 


and  bordering  "Paul's  Woods,"  now  Ju- 
niata Parli.  Cricket  was  also  one  of 
their  pastimes,  and  when  the  writer 
proudly  considered  himself  a  local  pion- 
eer in  that  game,  on  the  old  "Bed  Barn 
Lot,"  about  1860,  he  was  gently  remind- 
ed that  his  pater  had  been  a  tyro  at  it, 
forty  years  before,  and  not  two  miles 
distant  from  these  very  commons.  ;Mr. 
James  Tatham  was  head-master  of  the 
school.  He  was  an  Englishman,  gradu- 
ate of  Oxford,  a  ripe  scholar  and  firm 
disciplinarian,  whose  ashes  lie  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  yard  at  Frankford. 

On  leaving  school,  William  entered  his 
father's  counting  room  as  a  clerk,  which 
at  that  period  meant  work,  and  hard 
work,  not  confined  to  the  desk.  Among 
his  duties  were  the  supervision  of  stow- 
ing cargos,  the  conducting  in  small  boats 
of  often  drunken  and  unruly  sailors  to 
outward-bound  ships  at  anchor  in  the 
river,  and  many  other  tasks  calling  for 
tact,  judgment  and  often  physical 
strength.  During  his  apprenticeship  he 
made  voyages  in  his  father's  vessels  to 
the  West  Indies  and  South  America,  as 
supercargo,  and  thus  gained  experience 
to  be  of  much  value  later  in  life. 

In  1826,  before  his  majority,  and 
while  yet  employed  in  his  father's  office, 
he  formed  a  business  partnership  with 
his  elder  brother  Samuel,  under  the  firm 
name  of  S.  &  W.  Welsh,  of  which  house, 
with  other  partners  subsequently  added, 
he  was  the  virtual  head,  until  his  death 
fifty-two  years  later.  From  a  modest  be- 
ginning, on  a  capital  consisting  largely  of 
character,  the  General  Commission  and 
Banking  business  of  the  firm  grew  stead- 
ily until  it  became  by  far  the  largest  of 
its  kind  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  standing 
of  the  house  second  to  none  in  this  coun- 
try. Prudent,  conservative  management 
2 


WILIJAM    WHI.SH 


ennbltul  tliis  lirni  t'>  wontlier  unscntlicd 
tlip  (lovjistatini;  fnirincial  stDrms  of  1S?.7, 
1857  and  1873,  wliich  resulted  iu  disas- 
ter to  so  many  contemporary  concerns, 
wliile  this  very  stability  and  skill  itrouKbt 
to  William  Welsh  the  delicate  and  difll- 
cnlt  tasks  uf  straiKhtenini;  out  the  tangled 
aflairs  of  many  less  fortunate  merchants 
and  sugar  refiners,  which  latter  were  the 
chief  customers  of  his  house.  A  fact  in 
whiih  he  tonk  much  pride  was,  that  dur- 
ing a  half  century  of  active  and  most  I'X- 
tcnsive  business,  his  firm  encountered  but 
one  law  suit  of  importance,  and  in  it  was 
altogether  successful. 

On  October  2,  18;?3.  William  Welsh 
married  Mary  lioss  Newbold,  nimn 
wlinse  later  philanthropic  and  church 
work  in  I'rankford  another  paper  has 
been  snbmitted. 

Several  summers  of  their  early  mar- 
ried life  were  spent  at  the  Webster 
Farm,  in  a  quaint  old  stone  house  now 
occupied  by  the  Free  Library  in  Mc- 
Pherson  Park.  This,  coupled  with  his 
earlier  roamings  as  a  boarding  school 
lad,  probably  made  him  attached  to  the 
neighborhood,  then  largely  given  over  to 
country  seats,  for,  in  June,  1842,  he 
bought  the  place  known  as  Strawberry 
Hill,  on  Powder  Mill  and  Xicetown  lanes, 
then  in  the  Northern  Liberties  township 
of  Philadelphia  county,  where  he  lived 
during  his  thirty-five  remaining  summers, 
and  which  is  still  (1008)  owned  by  his 
heirs.  From  this  propinquity  ([lossibly 
augmented  by  the  fruit-stealing  proclivi- 
ties of  some  of  its  younger  inhabitants^ 
dates  Mr.  Welsh's  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  the  people  of  Frankford,  an  interest 
•which  ended  only  with  his  life.  Frank- 
ford  had  no  Episcopal  church  in  1842, 
nnd  the  services  of  that  church  were  fre- 
quently   held    at    Strawberry    ilill,    until 

3 


William  Welsli  and  others  organized  the 
present  parish  of  St.  Mark's,  of  which  he 
•was  the  leading  layman,  Sunday  school 
superintendent  and  a  vestryman  for  thir- 
ty-five years.  Here  he  later  on  inan- 
guraled  the  work  known  as  Lay  Co-Op- 
eration  in  the  church,  the  details  of  wo- 
men's large  share  in  which  were  set 
forth  in  the  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Mrs. 
William  Welsh,  written  for  your  Society 
by  Miss  Wright. 

This  work  produced  such  astoundingly 
successful  results  that  the  name  of 
Frankford  became  familiar  throughout 
the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United 
States,  most  parishes  of  which  long 
since  adopted  the  methods  first  applied 
in  this  town. 

Mr.  Welsh's  church  work  in  Frankford 
was  not  limited  to  the  part  of  each  year 
he  passed  at  Strawberry  Hill,  but  con- 
tinued throughout  the  winter  as  well. 
Regularly  every  Sunday  morning  before 
eight  o'clock,  the  family  carriage  started 
from  his  town  house  (1122  Spruce  street) 
laden  with  laborers  in  the  Frankford 
vineyard.  The  writer  has  a  vivid  recol- 
lection of  many  breakfastless  expeditions 
in  that  same  carriage,  on  dark,  cold, 
stormy  winter  mornings,  when  many 
would,  and  most  did,  find  the  bad  weath- 
er a  valid  excuse  for  staying  at  home, 
much  less  facing  a  dreary  drive  of  six  or 
seven  miles. 

Arrived  at  St.  Mark's,  Mr.  Welsh  help- 
ed to  welcome  the  congregation  (real  sous 
and  daughters  of  toil)  assembling  for  the 
nine  o'clock  service  held  in  the  basement 
room,  where  the  people  unprovided  with 
new  or  fashionable  attire,  felt  more  at 
ease  than  in  the  church  above.  After  the 
reading  of  parts  of  the  morning  service, 
usually  by  the  rector's  assistant,  Mr. 
Welsh  delivered  a  short,  forceful  sermon 

4 


STRAWF^KRRY    HILL 

(\Vcl>li  II -trail  at   Nii-ftiiwii   ami  l'..\\.lti  iniil  Lain-.-,  I'ranklMnl. ) 


willioul  notes,  »lthntt!.'h  cnrefully  j>re- 
icirpj  on  tho  previniis  Siimlay  ovoniiiK 
Hrnl  tMilivciiPil  hy  illnsiratiuns  collected 
ilurins?  his  busy  Witoi-veninK  week.  At 
aliiiiit  lUKiii,  liavinj;  attended  th«'  rcjiU- 
lar  service  in  the  cinirch,  it  was  his  prac- 
tice to  visit  the  nioi-o  distressiiiK  cases  of 
illness  and  affliction  ainonfj  the  parishion- 
ers. Such  ministrations  lasted  nntil  two 
o'clock,  wlicn  liis  active  duties  as  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday  schools  and  Bihle 
classes  commenced.  These  concluded,  he 
at  four  o'dork  conducted  an  informal 
service  and  m.MJi'  another  address  to 
working  people  in  the  basement  r(v)m, 
and  at  live  beRnn  the  lony  drive  liome, 
whicli  was  often  broken  by  a  visit  to  tiie 
sufferers  at  the  Episcopal  Hospital,  where, 
by  appointment  from  Hisliop  Potter,  he 
was  intrc.sted  with  the  oversight  and 
niantiiiement  of  its  religious  operations, 
'rii-  evening  was  devoted  to  the  study  of 
his  s-'rmfin  and  addresses  for  the  follow- 
ing Sunday. 

This,  then,  was  one  of  William  Welsh  s 
days  of  rest,  year  in  and  year  out,  varie<l 
only  one  Sunday  in  each  month,  by  hold- 
ing religions  services  and  making  an  ad- 
dress to  the  boys  at  Girard  College,  and 
si>uietimes  also  at  the  adjacent  House  of 
Kefuge. 

To  quote  from  r.ishoj)  Howe's  memor- 
ial sermon:  'Any  Christian  man,  who, 
alter  the  cares  of  a  great  bu.siness,  free 
to  pass  the  hallowed  day  of  rest  in  a 
luxurious  home  and  among  congenial 
worshipers  in  a  favorite  church,  should 
persevere  in  so  laborious  a  ministry— for 
so  many  years,  would  be  accounted  re- 
markable for  .-elf-sacrifice  and  steadfast- 
ness in  duty,  even  if  that  were  all  of  his 
distinctively  religious  work."  "But  with 
Mr.  Welsh  this  was  only  one  item  of 
Christian  effort,  among  many  to  which 
5 


the  Lord's  day  aud  other  days  were  sys- 
tematically consecrated." 

In  addition  to  that  which  he  did  for  St. 
Mark's,  Frankford,  Mr.  Welsh  was 
largely  instrumental  in  the  organization 
and  building  of  the  following-named  Epis- 
copal churches  in  Philadelphia:  St. 
Luke's,  St.  Philip's,  St.  Jude's,  Church 
of  the  Evangelists,  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  St.  Barnabas,  St.  Paul's,  Ara- 
miugo,  and  St.  Stephen's,  Bridesburg.  He 
gave  liberally  towards  the  construction 
of  each  and  maintenance  of  many,  and 
is  said  to  have  built  St.  Stephen's, 
Bridesburg,  altogether  at  his  own  cost. 

In  the  old  Leamy  mansion,  where  the 
Episcopal  Hospital  was  inaugurated,  Mr. 
Welsh  in  186G  established  the  Bishop 
Potter  Memorial  House,  for  the  training 
of  Christian  women  in  errands  of  mercy 
and  administering  to  the  sick  in  body  and 
soul,  and  sustained  it  until  the  day  of 
his  death,  at  his  own  individual  cost.  To 
again  quote  Bishop  Howe:  "The  swarthy 
sons  of  Africa,  on  their  distant  coast  and 
in  our  Southern  States,  the  red  man  of 
our  Western  plains,  brethren  of  our  OAvn 
race  in  other  cities,  and  in  far-off  mission 
fields  are  now  experiencing,  in  the  en- 
lightened and  systematic  ministrations 
among  them  of  Christian  women  trained 
at  the  Memorial  House,  what  a  fruitful 
aud  far-reaching  charity  was  his  who  de- 
vised, instituted  and  maintained  this 
school  of  the  highest  social  science— the 
art  of  doing  good." 

Mr.  Welsh  was  a  founder  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Divinity  School  and  continued  a 
member  of  its  Executive  Committee  and 
a  Trustee  during  life;  he  was  a  founder 
and  Vice  President  of  the  Free  Church 
Association,  for  the  principles  of  which 
he  was  an  earnest  and  uncompromising 
advocate,  and  he  was  one  of  the  original 
6 


nmnafroi's  of  the  Bisliop  Whilo  Prayer 
KoDk  Society,  bciiii;  uclive  in  its  couuciis 
t'or  forty-fniir  ycurs.  He  wns  ions  a 
zoaloiis  ami  iiitliicMlinl  ili'lcfialo  to  botli 
till'  Diocesan  ami  (ieneral  Coiivoiitioiis  of 
his  chnroh,  niul  an  energetic  member  of 
its  Domestic  and  Forei;ni  Missionary  So- 
ciety. 

Diiriiiu'  till'  oai'lici-  li;ilf  of  the  last  cen- 
tury the  (hiily  newspapers  of  Philadel- 
phia published  much  that  did  not  pro- 
mote good  morals,  but  the  owners  re- 
fused to  give  eqnal  publicity  to  charitable 
and  religious  affairs,  asserting  that  it 
would  not  pay.  After  trying  in  vain  to 
convince  them  of  their  error,  Mr.  Welsh 
decided  to  experiment  with  ii  daily  paper 
of  his  own.  and  in  IS-'IO  The  North 
American  was  launched  with  the  avowed 
pni'pose  of  elevating  the  moral  character 
of  the  daily  press.  He  was  sole  owner 
of  this  paper  for  six  years,  and  in  writ- 
ing some  twenty-live  years  later,  of  its 
sale  in  184.5,  says  in  part.  "The  under- 
signed carried  it  on  until  the  purpose  for 
which  it  was  created  had.  in  his  judg- 
ment, been  accomplished."  "When  all 
daily  papers  were  forced  by  public  opin- 
ion to  report  fully  the  doings  of  charita- 
ble associations,  and  even  to  print  ser- 
mons, it  seemed  unnecessary  for  nie  to 
<-ontinue  The  North  American."'  "It  had 
absorbed  Poulson's  American  Daily  Ad- 
vertiser and  Colonel  Childs'  Commercial 
Herald,  and  the  proprietor  had  also  pur- 
chased the  Philadelphia  Gazette,  which 
he  published  as  an  afternoon  paper  in 
connection  with  the  North  American,  un- 
der the  management  of  another  editor." 
"Both  of  these  papers  were  sold  to  Alex- 
ander Cummings  on  October  1,  1845." 
"The  pecuniary  loss  was  not  heavy,  and 
the  proprietor  was  abundantly  satisfled 
with  the  result  of  his  experiment." 
7 


Mr.  Welsh  also  wrote,  or  oditad,  an'1 
published  a  nnmlier  of  p:n!iphletR.  niiioiiff 
them,  Lay-Cooperation  in  St.  Mark's 
Cluirrh.  Frankford-,  ISlil.  Letters  on  the 
Home  jMissionar.v  Work  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church,  &:c,  ISti)).  Woni- 
fin's  Mission  in  the  C'iirisiinn  Chmoh. 
1804.  The  Avocation  and  Aliiiisiry  of 
Church  Members,  4S:c,  1.''^!;."').  Extracts 
fi'om  Woman's  Service  on  the  Ijords 
Day,  &c.  1SG5.  The  Bishup  Potter  Me- 
morial House:  A  History  of  Us  Origin, 
Design  and  Operations,  Illustratin.!.!: 
Woman's  Spiritual  Mi.ssion  in  tlie  Chri.s 
tian  Church,  IStiS,  and  Taupi  and  His 
Friends,  by  Bishop  Whii)ple,  ilr.  Welsh 
and  others;  incJuding  the  (>lel>ruted  Ke- 
port  of  the  Indian  Peace  Commissioners 
and  Letters  on  Indian  Cis'ilizatiou  by  Va- 
rious Persons  in  Authority,   1809. 

Mr.  Welsh  was  for  thirty-six  years  a 
leading  Director  of  the  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  Korth  America,  and  long  the 
Chairman  wf  its  Finance  Committee.  lie 
was  an  authority  upon  the  perplexin- 
subject  of  Marine  Insurance  with  its  at 
tendant  almost  mediaeval  intricacies  ant! 
enjoyed  enlighteninj;  those  to  whom  it 
had  ever  appeared  a  mystery,  lie  Avas 
a  founder  and  manager  of  the  Western 
Saving  Fund  Society,  and  in  his  younger 
days  connected  with  many  tinancial  in- 
stitutions, from  which  he  gradually  with- 
drew, that  he  might  devote  more  time 
to  his  chosen  works  of  phiianthropy.  He 
belonged  to  tliat  old  school  of  business 
men,  whose  ma.^im  (too  often  obs<deie 
now)  was  that  Directors  should  direct, 
and  he  seldom  missed  a  meeting  uf  tin- 
Board  or  the  Committee  unless  it  clash- 
ed with  another  he  deemed  of  more  im- 
portance. 

In   1850  Mr.   Welsh   and  a  number  of 
like  minded   philanthropic   citizens   organ- 


izi-d  tlif  Y.iiui^:  Miin's  Institute,  which 
t'stal)lisli('(l  iiiiiht  sc'liools  niul  rending 
looms  ill  miiiiy  of  tiie  fity  districts,  for 
tlie  doiilde  purpose  of  ctlnoitioii  and  «li- 
versiou  of  the  yonni;  mumi  who  then  found 
the  Vohuiteei-  Fire  Conipany's  Houses 
allructivoly  donioralizinK  haunts  in  which 
to  pass  their  evening's  and  idle  liours.  In 
his  nnnual  reports  as  president  of  this 
association  are  repeatedly  scattered  tlie 
seeds  wlijrli  iiliinijitcly  rnirtilicd  in  our 
present  iduiii'alili'  M.iiuliI  Tiainiii;,' 
Schools,  for  the  eslablishnienl  of  wlii(di 
he  was  loiijr  an  ardent  and  indefatij;able 
advocate.  With  this  same  purpose  we 
liml  him  in  the  early  days  as  chairman 
of  a  committee  apiiointed  by  the  Frank- 
lin Institute  (of  which  he  was  a  Life 
Member)  to  investigate,  and,  if  possible, 
rej)ort  some  feasible  plan  for  the  intro- 
duction of  technical  instruction  in  our 
public   schools. 

The  abolition  of  the  old  Volunteer  Fire 
Department,  with  its  accompauyinj?  in- 
cendiary crimes  and  terrifying  street 
tights,  was  another  of  Mr.  >\'elsirs  pi-t 
.schemes,  and  he  was  largely  instrument- 
al in  the  moulding  of  public  opinion,  re- 
sultant in  the  present  eliicient  organiza- 
tion. 

l''iir  many  years  >rr.  NVclsh  was  a  di- 
rector and  Vice  I'rcsident  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Institution  for  the  Deaf  and 
l>und)  and  Chairnum  of  the  Building 
Committee.  He  took  a  personal  interest 
in  its  unfortunate  students,  and  was  tire- 
loss  in  his  efforts  to  promote  both  their 
education  and  comfort.  He  often  said 
thai  tlieir  happy,  smiling  faces  whenever 
he  met  them  was  an  ample  reward  for 
his   labors  in  their  behalf. 

Mr.  Welsh  was  one  of  the  earlier  mem- 
bers of  the  Union  I.eague,  which  in  his 
case  wa.s  not  used   as  a   club,  but   rather 

y 


as  au  instrument  for  furthering  patri- 
otic eudeavoi's,  and  we  find  liiui  during 
tlie  dark  days  of  the  IStiU's  active  on 
its  committees  formed  with  such  objects 
in  view.  He  never  held  otRce  to  wliich 
pay  was  attached,  taking,  however,  a 
keen  interest  in  all  elections  and  giving 
freely  of  both  time  arid  money  to  ad- 
vance the  cause  of  good  government.  In 
municipal  campaigns  he  was  especially 
active,  and  strove  to  divorce  local  from 
general  politics.  Aided  by  a  few  other 
large  contributors,  he  established  a  pri- 
vate association  for  the  suppression  of 
election  frauds  and  giving  substantial  re- 
wards for  each  conviction  succeeihd  in 
having  many  offenders  punished.  lie 
presided  at  meetings  and  made  speeches 
in  the  interest  of  reform,  and  although 
less  successful  in  this  than  in  any  olher 
of  his  undertakings  he  was  never  dis- 
couraged, but  always  declared  that  iln' 
people  would  ultimately  awake  to  a 
knowledge  of  what  was  best  for  all,  and 
realize  that  the  tariff  issue  has  no  hear- 
ing upon  the  qualifications  of  a  iScliutjl 
Director. 

Mr.  Welsh's  personal  mode  of  life  v.as 
of  the  simplest,  and  his  chief  diversion 
was  found  in  equestrianism.  He  was  a 
good  rider  and  really  finished  reinsman, 
his  favorite  horses  being  such  high-strung 
animals  that  they  were  unsafe  in  any 
hands  save  those  of  an  expert.  His  ro- 
bust health  and  great  muscular  strength 
were  maintained  until  the  very  end  by 
daily  gymnastic  exercises  and  rapid  long 
distance  walking,  which  latter,  liowcv.n-, 
together  with  his  riding  and  driving,  were 
generally  made  subservient  to  some  er- 
rand of  duty. 

Both  his  town  and  country  homes  were 
conducted  on  a  scale  befitting  his  station, 
and  it  was  exceptional  when  his  roof  did 

10 


imi  slii'llor  s«iin<>  <lii;nitiuifs  <if  llio  cliiircli 
nr  moil  of  eniiiieiicc  in  dtluT  walks  of  lift', 
ill  .•uldition  to  iiioro  Ininililc  Imt  evor-wcl- 
roiiii'   friii'sts. 

Mr.  Wflsli's  efFortH  to  mlvunce  the  iii<«r- 
al  ami  pliysicnl  wolfaro  of  the  Indian 
wards  of  th»»  natinii,  ixposuics  of  cor- 
rupi  (untnulors,  and  defense  of  resultant 
personal  attacks  through  the  Courts  were 
too  oxi)and('d  to  In-  di'tail<»d  here.  He 
a^itatt'd  the  .siiliji'cts  of  their  riijlits  and 
wrongs  with  smli  nnliring  emphasis  and 
success  that  to  insure  the  former  iiiid 
rectify  the  latter  Conjrress  was  moved  to 
create  the  Indian  Corniiiission.  of  which 
President  Grant  apiiointcd  him  one  of 
the  members,  hy  whom  in  turn  he  was 
chosen  Chairman.  Lack  of  support  from 
those  "hisjher  up,"  and  motives  of  self- 
respect,  prompted  him  to  resipu  from  this 
hody  within  a  year,  hut  not  dismayed,  he 
contiinied  to  earnestly  prosecute  his  de- 
sign, ably  assisted  by  a  few  faithful  olli- 
cials,  who  had  not  come  under  the  bane- 
ful intluence  of  the  notoriou.s  and  plun- 
dei-iug  Indian  lliiig,  which  was  all  pow- 
erful at  the  time.  If  Mr.  Welsh  did  not 
altogether  shatter  that  Ring  he  at  least 
'•turned  on  the  light,"  so  that  its  mem.- 
bers  were  forced  to  less  openly  defy  the 
law,  and  its  spoils  being  reduced,  the 
Indians  at  last  came  into  more  of  their 
tiwn. 

Mr.  \\'.Uli  brought  about  the  commit- 
ment of  the  interests  of  many  Indian 
tribes  to  the  administration  of  various 
Christian  bodies,  and  it  was  chiefly 
through  his  persistent  e.xertions  that  the 
Episcopal  Church  established  missions  in 
the  Indiau  country,  where  he  built,  large- 
ly at  his  own  cost,  churches,  hospitals 
and  school-s,  and  whithor  he  sent  trained 
Christian  women  to  aid  in  their  success- 
ful operation.  Auxiliary  to  this  work, 
11 


he  fomuled  Tlie  Indians'  Hoiie,  an  asso- 
ciation composed  of  representative  -woni- 
en  from  each  Episcopal  parish  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  of  which  his  wife  was  long 
the  president.  This  band  of  earnest 
women  has  almost  been  succeeded  by 
another  generation  of  equally  zealous 
helpers,  who  continue  to  arouse  and  main- 
tain public  interest  in  the  work  for  which 
it  was  projected,  and  raise  large  sums 
for  its  prosecution.  Truly  the  Indian 
of  to-day  may  thank  God  that  William 
Welsh  lived,  and  was  moved  to  such 
strenuous  endeavor  in  behalf  of  that  race. 
The  crowning  effort  of  Mr.  Welsh's 
life,  and  the  one  which  made  this  com- 
munity his  debtor,  perhaps  more  than 
any  other,  was  his  work  in  behalf  of  re- 
form in  the  administration  of  the  Girard 
Estate,  and  incidentally  of  other  City 
Trusts.  Originally  the  affairs  of  Girard 
College  and  the  vast  estate  left  by  Ste- 
phen Girard  for  its  maintenance,  were 
under  the  control  of  a  Board  of  Direc- 
tors, elected  by  the  Philadelphia  City 
Councils,  and  Mr.  Welsh  was  first  so 
elected  to  that  Board  in  1849.  He  was 
an  enthusiastic  believer  in  Mr.  Girard's 
noble  and  humane  design,  giving  much 
time  and  thought  towards  its  realization. 
After  years  of  faithful  labor  in  its  man- 
agement, he  became  convinced  that  the 
natural  growth  of  the  estate,  and  conse- 
quent usefulness  of  the  college,  would 
necessarily  be  dwarfed  so  long  as  it  re- 
mained under  political  control.  Ridicul- 
ed by  politicians  and  discouraged  even  by 
friends,  who  were  in  full  sympathy  with 
his  motives,  he  set  himself  the  Hercu- 
lean task  of  having  the  power  to  ap- 
point Directors  taken  from  City  Coun- 
cils and  vested  in  the  Judges  of  our 
Courts.  He  retained  able  counsel  to 
draft  a  bill  to  this  effect,  and  by  heroic 
12 


porsniial  efforts,  in  llie  fiice  of  iiiiiindm- 
liililif.s  which  looked  to  all  others  like 
iinpossibilitif's,  he  succeeded  in  having  it 
piissed  by  the  Sfato  Lf>risliitiirt>. 

'J'iie  more  circiinistiUKc  of  tiie  passage 
of  the  bill  through  a  legislative  body  in 
no  wise  inclined  to  diminish  the  patron- 
age of  the  dominant  party  is  an  all-sufH- 
eient  evidence  of  the  energy  and  influ- 
ence of  Mr.  \Yelsh,  when  he  had  set  his 
hnnd  and  his  heart  to  the  accomi)lisli- 
ment  of  a  good  work.  Even  after  the 
passage  of  the  bill  its  enemies  claimed 
th;it  Governor  Geary  would  not  dare  to 
approve  it,  but  after  securing  his  nomi- 
nation for  a  second  term  he  was  induced 
by  Mr.  Welsh  to  sign  it.  thus  creating 
the  lirst  Board  of  City  Trusts,  which, 
due  to  the  change  in  appointing  power, 
was  composed  of  the  very  cream  of  Phil- 
adelphia's foremost  citizens  then  avail- 
able. Of  this  new  organization  Mr.  Welsh 
found  himself  not  only  a  Director,  but 
its  President,  and  with  a  Board  in  full 
harmony  with  his  intelligent  conception 
nf  duty,  he  had  the  s.-itisfaction  oi  see- 
ing Mr.  Girurd's  design  realized  in  the 
thorough  efficiency  of  the  college  to  which 
he  had  devoted  the  fruits  of  his  long  and 
laborious  life. 

One  cannot  estimate  what  wdtilil  have 
resulted  from  continued  political  control 
of  the  Girard  Estate,  but  it  is  quite  safe 
to  assume  that  we  (of  lOOSt  would  not 
have  seen  its  magnificent  office  buildings 
completed 'and  in  course  of  erection,  the 
wiilening  and  paving  of  r)elaware  avenue 
in  the  old  city  proper,  or  the  caiiacity  of 
Girard  College  increased  from  five  liun- 
<lred   to  fifteen  hundred   boys. 

Wills  Hospital  and  the  several  minor 
Trusts  committed  to  the  care  of  the 
Board  were  not  of  less  interest  to  Mr. 
Welsh.      His    thoughts    were    on    each    in 

13 


proportion  to  its  claims;  and  it  so  came 
to  pass  tliat  while  attending  a  commit- 
tee meeting  in  Wills  Hospital,  on  the 
afternoon  of  February  11,  1878,  when 
apparently  in  perfect  health,  he  very  sud- 
denly closed  his  earthly  career. 

"He  fell  not  by  a  weary  strife  with 
death. 

But  sprang  enfranchised  with  one  bonud- 
iug  breath, 

His  eye  undimmed,  his  native  force  un- 
bent. 

His  life  of  duty  is  lis  monument." 

All  of  the  corporations  and  associations 
with  which  he  was  identified,  and  even 
some  with  which  he  had  no  direct  con- 
nection, held  special  meetings  to  take 
action  upon  his  death,  and  more  than  one 
hundred  of  the  chief  business  houses  here 
signed  a  paper,  under  date  of  February 
13,   1878.  reading  as  follows: 

"The  undersigned,  merchants  and  citr- 
zens  of  Philadelphia,  deeply  conscious  of 
the  untiring  and  unselfish  services  which 
the  late  lamented  William  Welsh  has  ren- 
dered to  the  city  and  citizens  of  Phila- 
delphia, do  agree  to  close  our  places  of 
business  (and  recommend  all  others  to 
do  so)  on  Thursday,  14th  inst.,  at  three 
o'clock,  during  the  funeral  services,  as 
a  small  mark  of  affection,  esteem  and 
regard  for  the  memory  of  one  who  has 
singularly  endeared  himself  to  the  hearts 
of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact 
during  his  long  and  well-spent  life." 

Mr.  Welsh's  burial  was  more  like  a 
triumph  than  a  funeral,  and  seldom,  if 
indeed  ever,  had  such  a  congregation  as- 
sembled in  Philadelphia  to  honor  the 
memory  of  a  private  citizen.  St.  Luke's 
Church  was  thronged,  while  six  bishops, 
one  hundred  clergymen,  fellow-laborers  in 
the  great  benevolences  of  the  city,  rich 
and  poor,  high  and  low,  bore  eloquent 
testimony   to  the  great  esteem  in  which 

14 


lu'  was  beUl   J>y   all   dnssos  of  the   com- 
munity. 

A  life-long  friend,  wiin  know  him  host, 
writes: 

"Mr.  Wi'lsh's  heart  and  hand  were 
ready  fur  every  good  work,  and  in  what 
he  recognizf'd  as  duty  he  entered  with 
(  heerfnl  zeal,  whether  it  was  iu  visiting 
the  widow  and  fatherless  in  their  nfllic- 
tion,  or  in  matters  concerning  the  welfare 
of  tlie  conimunity.  His  henefactious  were 
large,  even  half  of  his  income.  His  mind 
was  active,  clear,  comprehensive  and  for- 
cible, and  his  will  iutlexible.  His  in- 
dustry was  untiring;  his  adherence  to 
principle  unwavering;  his  judgment  accu- 
rate and  reliable.  His  life  he  considered 
a  boon  from  his  Creator,  to  be  spent  in 
His  service,  in  which  was  prominent  the 
promotion  of  the  best  interests  of  his 
fellow-man." 

WILLIAM  WELSH,  Jr. 
January,    1908,    22-J4      Spruce      Street, 
Philadelphia. 


15 


A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 
Mrs.  William  Welsh. 


Describing  Her  Connection  with  Frankford,  and 

with  the  Religious  and  Philanthropic  Work 

Carried  On  Under  the  Care  of  St.  Mark's 

Church  for  Over  Forty  Years. 


BY   MISS   ELEANOR   E.   WRIGHT. 


This  paper  is  Published  by  the  Direction  of  the 
Committee  on  Biography  of  the    Historical 
Society  of  Frankford. 

I  have  been  asked  to  write  a  sketch  of 
the  life  of  Mrs.  William  \Yelsh,  describ- 
ing her  counectiou  with  Frankford,  and 
with  the  religious  and  philanthropic  work 
carried  on  for  many  years  under  the  fos- 
tering care  of  St.   Mark's  Church. 

From  1860  to  189S  the  name  of  Mrs. 
Welsh  in  Frankford,  was  synonymous 
with  all  that  was  true,  with  all  that  was 
good,  with  all  that  was  pure,  with  all 
that  was  lovely,  with  all  things  of  good 
report,  and  was  so  famihar  to  us  all 
that  we  could  not  realize  the  time  would 
ever  come  when  it  would  be  but  a  mem- 
ory. None  of  the  streets,  laues  or  by- 
ways of  Frankford  were  unknown  to  her 
or  unvisited  by  her  during  these  long 
years.  Her  culm  and  dignified  pres- 
ence, her  strong  and  gentle  face  are  still 
remembered  by  those  with  whom  she 
came  in  contact,  as  she  wended  her  way 
on  her  errands  of  mercy.  They  who 
knew  her  well  count  themselves  happy 
to  have  lived  in  ber  day,  and  to  have 
16 


liiM'ii  :i.ss<K'ijilj-<l  with  her  in  luT  work. 
Tin*  iiKMiiory  of  it  inspires  ns  witli  a 
wisii  to  pri'stTvo  some  n-cunl  cif  lior  per- 
sonality, for  tin-  I  lislurical  Society  of 
Frankforil,  ami  for  the  henelit  of  those 
to  whom  in  fntnre  .\ears  it  can  he  only 
fl   trailitiou. 

Mr.  iind  .Mrs.  William  Welsh  came  to 
Frankr(.i\l  to  live  in  1S42,  .Mr.  Welsh 
havinj,'  purchased  for  a  summer  home 
the  property  known  as  Strawberry  II ill. 
at  the  corner  of  Nicetown  ainl  I'owder 
Mill  lanes.  They  at  once  liecanu-  in- 
terested in  I  he  Mission  of  Trinity  Church 
Oxford,  in  Frankford.  which  afterwards 
became  St.  M  nk's  Parish.  At  that  time 
services  were  held  in  a  hnildinR  known 
as  the  Tahenuicle.  which  stood  on  the 
west  side  of  Frai>kliu  street  nurth  of 
Unity  street  and  opposite  the  lot  on 
which  the  present  church  Imildiiifis 
stand. 

It  is  recur<led  th.il.  in  ISll,  .Mr.  Welsh 
became  superintendent  of  the  Sund.'iy 
School,  an  otlioe  lie  continued  to  hold 
until   his  death  in  1878. 

From  1S42  to  ISCO  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Welsh  duriuf:  the  siunmer  months,  in- 
terested themselvex  in  the  ordinary  fiooil 
works  of  a  small  parish  church  in  a 
country  villa{.'e.  I'.nt  the  villape  was 
rapidly  chanfjing  character.  Mills  and 
factories  were  beim;  built  in  Frankford. 
and  lis  viiitiiiy.  and  lar;,'e  numbers  of 
Kn^rlish  iimni^'rints  were  cominir  to  work 
iii  th^se  manufacturing  establishments. 
By  i860  the  population  of  Frankford  had 
grown  to  ten  thousand  persons. 

The  majority  of  these  English  people 
had  been  used  to  servicesof  the  church  in 
England,  and  Dr.  Miller,  the  rector  of 
St.  Mark's  Church,  realized  the  imper.i- 
tive  need  of  personal  ministration  amonp 
them,    in   order   to  safeguard   their  steps 

17 


ill  this  strange  iand,  to  which  they  had 
come  to  make  new  homes  with  the  hope 
of  bettering  th€ir  condition. 

In  England  the  work  of  ministering 
women  in  the  church,  suppressed  at  the 
time  of  the  Reformation,  was  being  in- 
troduced again,,  as  a  fruit  of  the  great 
religious  revival  known  as  the  Ti-act- 
arian  movement,  so  named  from  a  series 
of  religious  publications  called  at  that 
period  Tracts,  which  definitely  set  forth 
the  heritage  and  teaching  of  the  church. 
Sisterhoodp  were  re-established,  and 
women  offered  themselves  for  work, 
in  various  capacities,  among  the  less 
fortunate  classes  of  the  community. 
A  large  number  of  books  were  writ- 
ten, explaining  different  methods  used 
in  carrying  on  what  was  called  "Woman's 
work  in  the  Chm-ch."  jNIany  of  these 
books,  notably  the  "Missing  Link,"  "Thy 
Poor  Brother,"  and  "The  Transformed 
Village."  were  read  by  Dr.  ^liller  and 
Mrs.    Welsh. 

After  much  careful  and  prayerful  con- 
sideration, Dr.  Miller  decided  to  employ 
the  women  of  St.  ]\Iark"s  parish  to  assist 
the  clergy  in  ministering  to  the  people 
in  their  homes.  In  1860  he  established 
a  Mother's  Meeting,  and  phi  red  it  in 
charge   of   Mrs.    Welsh. 

Mi-s.  Welsh  was  ready  for  the  task  en- 
trusted to  her.  As  a  young  woman  she 
had  been  greatly  interested  in  the  work 
of  Elizabeth  Fry  among  women  of  the 
criminal  classes  in  England.  A  copy  of 
the  weil-known  painting  of  Elizabeth  Fry 
in  her  Quaker  dress,  surrounded  by  the 
unfortunate  and  degraded  women  pris- 
oners of  Newgate,  long  hung  in  her 
room  by  the  side  of  a  small  bust  of  this 
famous  woman. 

Mi"s.  Welsh  tells  us  that  the  number  of 
uncared-for  children   brought   to   har   no- 

18 


Mrs.  William  Welsh 


.4^ 


Miss   Mary   Welsh 


Iici>  lliioiiuli  phihiiilhrupic  societies  to 
whioli  she  heloiuifd  iuid  inspire*!  hor  with 
a  iloMire  to  iiiiiiistt'r  to  the  iiiolliers  of 
those  lU'jclofti'il  fliildrt'ii,  with  the  liope 
of  licin^  ahle  l>y  kindneHs,  sympathy  nml 
simple  roliiiioiis  iiistniction  to  create  in 
them  a  sense  of  their  duty  as  wives  ami 
mothers  in  the  making  of  comfortable 
homes  for  llieir  families. 

The  Mother's  Meetinj;  held  its  lirst  ses- 
sion in  Augnst,  18f!t>.  Dr.  Miller  appoint- 
ed 11  committee  of  ladies  to  assist  Mrs. 
Welsh.  Frankford  was  divided  into  dis- 
tricts, each  dislri<t  hein},'  placed  in 
charge  of  a  mend)er  of  ^Irs.  Welsh's 
committee.  The  work  thus  begun  ex- 
panded until  over  ten  thousand  visits  a 
year  were  paid  by  the  ladies  comprising 
this   committee. 

Meetings  of  the  committee  were  held 
once  a  ninntli.  Each  lady  was  expected 
to  report  to  .Mrs.  Welsh  the  nundjer  of 
visits  paid  durins  the  month,  the  names 
of  new  families  who  had  moved  into  the 
district,  the  names  of  sick  persons,  of 
destitute  persons,  and  all  other  items  of 
interest  connected  with  those  under  the 
immediate  care  of  the  visitor.  In  later 
years  it  was  the  writer's  privilege  to 
attend  these  meetings  occasionally,  in 
company   with   her   mother. 

The  committee  met  in  one  of  the  small 
rooms  in  the  basement  of  old  St.  Mark'.s 
Clnnch.  Mrs.  Welsh  opened  the  pro- 
ceedings with  a  short  religious  service, 
after  which  the  members  of  the  com- 
nuttee  in  turn  presented  their  monthly 
reports.  The  kind  in<iniries  of  Mrs. 
Welsh  concerning  individual  cases  re- 
ported by  the  ladies,  the  wise  counsel 
given  as  to  the  methods  to  be  used  in 
gaining  the  sympathy  of  those  visited, 
and  the  intimate  knowledge  of  the  wel- 
fare and  needs  of  the  people  possessed  by 
19 


I\Irs.  Welsh  were  a  revelation  of  the 
unselfish  principle  which  governed  her 
life  and  of  her  wonderful  insight  into 
character. 

In  connection  with  the  Mother's  Meet- 
ing, Mrs.  Welsh  soon  organized  a  Sick 
Club  and  a  Clothing  Club.  In  the  Sick 
Club  eight  cents  a  week  was  paid  by 
members,  who  received  $3.00  a  week  for 
thirteen  weeks  in  a  year  in  cases  of 
serious  illness,  and  twenty-five  dollai-s  at 
tlie   time   of   death. 

In  the  Clothing  Club  women  deposited 
such  amounts,  from  ten  cents  upwards, 
as  they  could  spare,  and  received  in  re- 
turn ready-made  clothing,  which  was  sold 
to  them  at  the  cost  of  the  material.  The 
material  having  been  bought  at  whole- 
sale prices — sheets,  pillow  cases  and  un- 
derclothing of  all  kinds — could  be  pur- 
chased for  small  sums,  and  many  women 
were  thus  enabled  to  provide  proper  and 
comfortable  clothing  for  their  familit'is. 
Other  instrumentalities  in  connection 
with  the  Mother's  Meeting  were  after- 
wards established,  among  which  were  a 
Mother's  Aid  Society  and  a  Sick  Diet 
Kitchen,    with    a    visiting   nurse. 

Very  soon  after  the  establishment  of 
the  Mother's  Meeting.  Mrs.  Welsh  began 
the  teaching  on  Sunday  afternoon  of  a 
Bible  Class  for  men. 

The  English  taverns  which  had  fol- 
lowed in  the  wake  of  the  English  folk, 
who  had  come  in  such  numbers  to  make 
their  homes  in  our  town  were  open  all 
day  on  Sunday.  On  Sunday  they  were 
made  as  attractive  as  possible  by  cock- 
fights and  other  similar  forms  of  recrea- 
tion, of  which  Fi-aukford  at  present 
knows  but  little.  Previous  to  that  time 
Frankford  had  been  visited  by  several 
atheistical  and  infidel  lecturers,  whose 
teaching  had  done  great  harm  in  the 
20 


comnuinity.  Maiij-  f>f  tlio  nioii  priilod 
tbi'insflves  in  bclit'viiij:  in  nolhiiiK,  ami 
spent  SiMHlay  in  drnnkt-n  carnnsiiis.  wast- 
ing tho  oarwiiijis  of  tlip  work  and  do- 
jiradiuK  tlioir  nianlumil  t>v  phuinj;  thcm- 
solvos  on  a  level  wiili  the  hrnte  crea- 
tion. 

In  visitini:  I  lie  homes  of  tho  women, 
in  conneetion  \\iih  I  lie  Mother's  Mpotinp, 
Mrs.  Welsh  lieeame  acquainted  with  the 
hiishands  and  fathers  of  the  families, 
and  the  men  were  personally  invited  by 
Mrs.  Welsh  to  attend  her  Rible  Class. 

The  transformation  wnnifrht  in  the  lives 
of  the  greater  number  of  these  men  bj" 
contact  with  this  gentle  woman  was  mar- 
velous. Mrs.  Welsh  was  peculiarly  gifted 
as  a  teacher.  Endowed  with  a  tine  uiind 
and  having  a  heart  full  of  love  for  her 
bretlunn,  the  sotting  forth  of  the  princi- 
ples of  right  living  and  the  Instruction 
given  on  doing  one's  <lut.v  to  God  and 
man  bore  abundant  fruit.  Open  sin  and 
degradation  in  the  course  of  a  few  years 
vanished  from  the  streets  of  Frankford 
on  Sunday. 

This  Men's  Bible  Class  met  for  many 
years  in  the  large  upper  room  of  the 
Bible  class  house  erected  by  Mr.  Welsh 
in  the  churchyanl  for  the  accommodation 
of  tho  Bible  classes,  which  were  organ- 
ized as  the  result  of  the  work  of  the 
ministering  women  we  are  describing.  .V 
Bible  class  for  young  men  taught  by  Miss 
Welsh  met  on  the  first  floor,  and  also 
another  class  taught  first  by  ^Irs.  Van 
Kirk  and  afterward  by  Mrs.  Overington. 
These  classes  al!  numbered  over  one  hun- 
dred men. 

At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  class 
of  two  hundred  young  women,  taught  by 
Miss  Wel<Ii.  assembled  in  the  large  room 
ui>stairs,  occupied  by  ^^rs.  Welsh  at  2 
o'clock.    The  men  and   women  attending 

21 


these  classes  were  regularly  visited  by 
their  teachers,  who  in  cases  of  illness  fre- 
qiTently  ministered  to  them  with  their  own 
hands. 

In  continuing  this  story  of  the  mission- 
ary work  of  St.  Mark's  parish  it  becomes 
impossible   to   separate   Mrs.    Welsh   and 
her    daughter,    the    dearly      loved    Miss 
Mary.  Their  aims  and  objects  in  life  were 
one.     What  is  said  of  one  can  with  equal 
truth  be  said  of  the  other.    Miss  Welsh, 
gifted  with  a  charming  personality,  could 
well  have  adorned  the  social  life  of  the 
gay   world.    But   like   Mary   of   old,    she 
chose  what  our  Lord  pronounced  to  be  the 
better  part,  and  used  her  many  talents  in 
ministering    to    Him,    in    the    persons    of 
those  who  were  poor  and  sick  and  hungry, 
both  in  body  and  soul.     For,  beside  these 
public    ministrations    of    Mrs.    and    Miss 
Welsh,   their  quiet  works  of  mercy,   un- 
seen by  the  world,  and  in  many  instances 
unknown  save  to  God,  cannot  be  record- 
ed.   The  outcast  women  visited  and  suc- 
cored, the  children  placed  iu  homes  and 
guarded  from  evil  influences,  the  tempted 
men  strengthened  in  good  resolutions,  the 
sick  ministered  to  and  the  dying  assisted 
in  preparing  themselves  to   stand  before 
God,   these  things  were  a  part  of   their 
daily   lives   for   over  forty   years.    Many 
hundred  years  ago  King  Solomon  asked, 
"Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman?"    For 
long  years  we  had  in  our  midst  two  such 
women   whose   price   is   described   in    the 
Word  of  God  "as  far  above  rubies."  in 
whose  death  their  many  children,  gather- 
ed from  among  the  poor  and  lonely,  and 
outcast,  as  well  as  from  the  happier  and 
more  favored  classes  of  society,  arise  and 
call  them  blessed. 

Mrs.    Welsh  lived   to  be  84  years   old, 
departing  this  life  on  January  18,   1898, 
full   of  years  and     full  of  service.    Tlie 
22 


pnssiiig  away  of  her  <lanf:htor,  Miss  Mary 
Wolsh,  im'CH'dpd  that  of  the  inotlior,  the 
latter  having  died  January  L'tJth,  181)7. 
"Tliey  were  luvely  and  pleasant  in  their 
lives  and  in  death  were  not  long  divided." 

In  clDsiii):  uiw  pajifr,  in  order  to  midtT- 
stand  the  .Mothers'  Meeting  of  St.  Mark's 
Chiireh,  Frankford,  the  first  meeting  of 
the  kind  iiistiHitcd  and  hfld  in  this 
<'iinnty,  let  us  in  iMiaj;iii;ition  visit  tiie  old 
lecture  roDUi  of  St.  .Mark's  Church  on 
Thursday  evening.  The  women  began  to 
assemble  about  half-past  si.K  o'clock.  They 
wore  their  every-day  attire.  Babies  and 
children  too  small  to  leave  at  home  were 
brought  by  theii  mothers,  who  seated 
themselves  in  grtnips  in  the  old-fashioned 
square  forms  with  which  the  room  was 
furuisheil. 

In  the  meantime  Mrs.  Welsh  and  the 
ladies  of  the  committee  were  gathering  in 
the  old  liV)rary  room,  which  they  entered 
by  a  door  under  the  transept.  They  re- 
moved their  outer  wraps  and  the  elderly 
ones  donned  their  caps,  for  it  was  the 
fashion  in  those  days  for  middle-aged  and 
elderly  women  to  wear  caps  as  a  portion 
of  their  house  dress.  One  and  all,  they 
proceeded  into  the  lecture  room  to  greet 
the  various  mothers  belonging  to  their  re- 
spective districts.  Looking  over  the  room 
we  see  them  making  their  way  from 
form  to  form,  liaving  a  special  word  with 
one  tired  mi  it  her  here,  a  kindly  smile  for 
another,  a  word  nf  sympathy  with  .some 
happiness  or  sorrow  which  had  visited  the 
next  mother,  until  they  had  g->ne  the 
round  of  the  room.  Memory  recalls  their 
names  as  well  as  their  faces.  First  and 
foremost  Mrs.  Welsh  and  the  beloved 
Miss  Mary,  Mrs.  .Tames  Burns,  Miss  Vir- 
ginia Savage  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Irvin. 
Mrs.  Richardson  L.  Wright,  who  col- 
lected  money   for   the   sick  and   clothing 

23 


clubs,  both  of  \\-hich  she  hnd  charge  as 
treasurer  and  manager;  Mrs.  Trumhaur, 
Miss  Lizzie  Sines,  Miss  Fuet,  Miss  Bar- 
ton, 3ilrs.  Conover  and  Mrs.  Van  Kirlc. 

While  this  busy  scene  was  being  enact- 
ed in  the  large  room,  in  the  little  room 
adjoining  the  library  sat  and  sewed  the 
ladies  belonging  to  the  Mothers'  Aid  So- 
ciety. This  society  assisted  destitute 
mothers  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  their 
children,  and  not  only  provided  suitable 
clothing  for  the  new  baby,  but  also  loaned 
sheets,  pillow-cases  and  underclothing  for 
the  mother,  which  were  returned  in  good 
order,  when  the  necessity  for  a  large  sup- 
ply of  such  articles  no  longer  existed. 

Mrs.  Miller,  the  wife  of  the  rector,  pre- 
sided in  this  room,  and  was  assisted  by 
Mrs.  Marshall,  Mrs.  John  R.  Savage  and 
other  ladies  of  the  parish.  Mrs.  Miller 
was  well  fitted  to  superintend  this  branch 
of  the  Mothers'  Meeting.  The  careful 
mother  of  eight  children — sons  and 
daughters — she  understood  the  needs  of 
the  mothei's  for  whose  comfort  she  work- 
ed. She  and  all  those  whose  names  have 
been  mentioned,  with  the  exception  of 
Mrs.  Van  Kirk  and  Miss  Fuet,  now  in 
her  ninety-fifth  year,  have  passed  away, 
and  the  church  roof  which  .sheltered  them 
is  a  thing  of  the  past,  but  we  I'ecall  with 
loving  memory  the  sweet  face  and  quiet, 
gentle  manner  of  Mrs.  Miller.  We  can 
see  her  walk,  as  we  have  so  often  watch- 
ed her,  up  the  church  aisle  on  Sunday 
mornings  to  her  seat  in  the  rector's  pew, 
surrounded  and  followed  by  her  children. 
In  storm  and  sunshine  she  came  to 
church,  walking  the  long  distance  from 
the  rectory  at  Frankford  avenue  and 
Dyre  street  often  twice  a  day,  thereby 
demonstrating  to  all  the  other  mothers  of 
the  parish  that  the  mother  of  a  large 
family   and    the   head   of   a   busy   house- 

24 


hold  could  yet  finil  time  to  worship  God 
in  His  huiisf,  on  the  diiy  of  His  appuiiit- 
iiii'iit. 

In  tho  iocture  mom  the  Inisy,  liiij)py 
scene  went  on.  Always  unoe  a  month 
Dr.  ^^ill^•r  visited  the  Mothers'  Meeting. 
The  Tower  door,  by  which  the  clergy 
entered  the  lecture  rom.  opened  and  his 
kind  face  appeared.  He  usually  stood 
.still  for  a  few  moments,  looking  over  the 
busy  room  and  then  spoke  to  the  young 
women  who  had  charge  of  the  parish  li- 
brary, which  was  always  open  on  Thurs- 
day evenings.  The  parish  lilirary  he  had 
bought  and  presented  to  the  church  years 
before,  continually  adding  to  it  interesting 
volumes  of  travel  and  history,  essays, 
poetry  and  romance.  In  its  time  it  was 
a  most  valuable  adjunct  to  the  work  of 
the  parish.  Many  a  boy  and  girl  as  well 
as  their  fathers  and  mothers  learned 
through  it  the  story  of  the  making  of 
the  earth  from  Hugh  Miller  and  became 
acquainted  with  the  lives  of  the  great  and 
good  by  reading  the  biographies  with 
which  the  library  was  filled,  and  grew 
familiar  with  the  works  of  the  great 
essayists  and  poets  of  our  race.  Dr.  Mil- 
ler also  walked  around  the  room  and  in 
his  kind  and  fatherly  manner  greeted  the 
mother.s,  never  neglecting  the  children, 
wlio  were  very  dear  to  his  heart. 

lint  8  o'clock  has  come.  Miss  Mary 
takes  her  place  on  the  platform  with  the 
book  which  is  to  be  read  for  a  half  hour. 
It  may  be  a  love  story,  or  a  home  story, 
or  a  bit  of  travel,  but  it  is  always  beauti- 
ful in  character  and  full  of  good  thoughts. 
At  half-past  8  her  reading  ceases.  The 
sewing  with  which  many  of  the  mothers 
have  been  occupying  themselves  is  put 
away,  and  liynui  books  are  given  out. 
Mrs.  Welsh  takes  charge  of  the  meeting 
and    a    hymn    is    sung,  while    Miss    Mary 

25 


plays  the  organ.  A  short  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture is  read  and  Mrs.  Welsh,  -nuth  her 
wonderful  tact,  applies  it  in  a  few  words 
for  the  instruction  of  all  present.  In  her 
simple  and  direct  manner  the  duties  of 
life  are  taken  up.  The  duty  of  wives  to 
their  husbands,  of  mothers  in  the  train- 
ing of  their  children,  of  women  as  the 
makers  of  homes, ' '  queens  of  households" 
as  Ruskin  calls  us.  None  of  those  who 
looked  at  or  listened  to  the  woman  who 
stood  before  them,  could  fail  to  carry 
away  something  of  her  spirit  and  some- 
thing of  the  lofty  ideals  which  governed 
her  own  life.  At  the  close  of  her  little 
talk  prayers  were  offered  and  after  the 
singing  of  another  hymn  the  meeting  was 
dismissed.  Mothers  and  children  dis- 
persed and  the  Mothers'  Meeting  for  the 
week  was  over. 

It  is  well  to  remember  that  this  work 
under  the  care  of  St.  Mark's  Church  was 
carried  on  for  a  genei'ation  in  Frank- 
ford,  before  what  is  called  in  these  days 
Settlement  work  was  thought  of,  and  be- 
fore Organized  Charity  established  its 
band  of  workei's  to  relieve  the  material 
wants  of  the  poor.  Our  free  parish  li- 
brary, too,  was  carried  on  long  before 
Free  Libraries  existed.  But  it  must  be  re- 
membered that  the  work  superintended 
by  Mrs.  Welsh  differed  from  these  newer 
instrumentalities,  which  in  a  measure 
carry  on  their  operations  along  the  same 
lines,  in  that  it  was  primarily  religious, 
and  not  socialistic  in  its  spirit.  The  peo- 
ple were  taught  to  remember  there  was 
something  beyond  the  needs  of  this  life 
to  be  considered. 

These  things  we  have  described 
are  memories  of  the  past,  and  seem 
to  us  far  away,  though  it  is  but  ten 
years  since  Mrs.  Welsh  left  us.  Charles 
Lamb's  description  of  death  almost  ap- 

26 


plies  to  tliciii.  IIi»  says  iliat  when  his 
brother  had  been  dead  im  hour  '"it  seemed 
us  if  lie  had  died  a  fcroat  while  ano,  such 
a  distance  there  is  between  life  and 
death." 

The  old  church  buiidinu  whose  walls 
were  consecrated  with  such  holy  memories 
is  no  more.  A  new  St.  Mark's  and  a  new 
generation  have  arisen  in  Prankford  to 
whom  in  the  future  the  story  of  the  past 
will  be  unknown  or  but  dimly  remember- 
ed were  it  not  inscribed  in  these  annals 
of  our  Historical  Society. 


27 


frankford's  Firsl  Schools 
and  Schoolmasters. 


A  Series  of  Papers  on  Frankford's  Early 
Schools  bv  Eleanor  E.  Wright. 


(Read  before  the  Society,  May  31,  1905.) 

Published  under  the  Direction  of  the  Committee 
on  History  of  the  Historical  Society. 

The  first  schools  in  this  locality  of 
which  we  have  any  certain  knowledge 
seem  to  have  been  conducted  under  the 
auspices  of  Trinity  Church,  Oxford,  and 
of  the  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, who  were  associated  from  time  to 
time  with  that  ancient  parish.  We  know 
that  one  siich  school  was  established  prior 
to  the  year  1718 — it  may  have  been  fif- 
teen or  twenty  years  earlier— and  that 
another  was  in  existence  less  than  ten 
years   afterwards. 

A  congregation  and  church  building  al- 
ready existed  in  Oxford  Township  in  the 
year  17(X),  when  the  Rev.  Evan  Evans, 
for  many  years  minister  of  Christ  Church 
in    Philadelphia    arrived    in    the    Colony. 

In  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Evans  in 
the  year  1707  to  "The  Society  in  Eng- 
land for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  Parts,"  the  following  passage 
occurs:  "Trinity  Church  in  Oxford 
Township  lies  in  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia about  nine  miles  from  the  city, 
where  for  the  first  four  years  after  my 
arrival      in      Philadelphia    I    frequently 

28 


I)!reneliod  nml  adiiiinistorod  the  sacra- 
iiit'iits.  It  li;i(l  wluM  I  hist  preachod  in 
il  about  oiu'  liiiiKliL'd  and  forty  porsoiiH." 
This  first  cluinh  Imildiiig  was  probiibly 
of  logs.  A  iiiw  cliiirrb  of  "brick,  lime 
and  sand,"  ari-onling  to  an  old  d<><u- 
nienl,  was  b\iilt  iu  the  year  1711,  and  it 
is  likely  that  the  original  building  was 
used  afterwards  for  a  school  house,  as 
early  records  of  the  parish  make  men- 
tion of  "the  school  house  belongin;;  to 
Oxford  Church."  From  1700  to  1711 
or  1711'  it  is  recorded  that  "the  church 
was  under  the  special  charge  of  the  Rev. 
John  Clubb,  then  a  schoolmaster  as  well 
as  a  clergyuian."  This,  so  far  as  we 
know,  is  the  first  recorded  reference  to 
a  schoolmaster  in  connection  with  Ox- 
ford   Church. 

There  seems  to  be  no  records  to  prove 
that  Mr.  Clubb  conducted  a  school, 
though  it  is  probable  that  he  did  so.  Af- 
ter an  absence  of  two  years,  spent  most- 
ly in  England,  Mr.  Clubb  returned  to 
Oxford  in  1714,  and  died  the  following 
year,  171"),  of  an  illness  contracted  in 
riding  between  Oxford  and  Radnor  iu 
Delaware  County,  where  he  conducted 
the   St.   David's   Mission. 

The  first  teacher  of  whom  any  authen- 
tic record  has  been  found  was  Nathaniel 
Walton,  lie  is  mentioned  in  an  address  to 
"The  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Farts"  in  the  year 
1718,  asking  that  a  clergyman  be  sent 
to  Oxford  Church,  and  signed  by  Peter 
Taylor  and  James  Morgan,  Church  War- 
dens and  others  of  the  congregation.  The 
reference  is  as  follows:  "We,  having  no 
minister  except  by  chance,  agree  among 
ourselves  to  meet  at  the  House  of  God 
every  Sunday,  where  one  Nathaniel  Wal 
ton,  our  schoolmaster,  one  zealous  for  the 
Church    and    of    good    report    among    us, 


takes  due  pains  every  Lord's  Day  to  read 
with  us  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  they  are 
appointed  to  be  read,  and  also  the  pray- 
ers and  Psalms  in  their  order  and  course, ' ' 
etc. 

This  Incidental  mention  of  Nathaniel 
Walton  as  "our  schoolmaster"  proves  that 
a  school  already  existed,  and  that  it 
must  have  lieen  established  prior  to  the 
year  1718.  The  name  of  Nathaniel  Wal- 
ton, Jr.,  occurs  in  a  list  of  names  of  the 
congreixation  of  Oxford  Church,  sent  to 
England  with  the  address  quoted  above. 

The  result  of  this  correspondence  wa.s 
the  appointment  to  Oxford  and  Rad- 
nor of  the  Rev.  Robert  Weyman,  "a  man 
of  great  worth  and  very  diligent  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty."  He  arrived  in 
Pennsylvania  on  the  19th  of  November. 
1719,  and  on  the  Sunday  following  took 
charge  of  his  cure.  He  continued  in 
charge   of  it  until  1732. 

In  a  report  to  the  Society  for  the  Pro])- 
agation  of  the  Gospel  in  1728,  Mr.  Wey- 
man writes:  "The  number  of  inhabi- 
tants in  the  Township  of  Oxen,  accord- 
ing to  the  best  and  nearest  calculation 
that  I  can  make  is  about  sixty  families 
There  are  two  schools  in  my  parish,  one 
in  Frankford,  a  small  and  compact  vil- 
lage in  the  Township  of  Oxen,  about 
three  miles  distant  from  the  church,  in 
which  village  I  have  lately  introduced  a 
lecture  in  the  afternoon  to  a  numerous 
auditory.  The  house  of  our  meeting  in 
Frankford  is  kept  by  Mr.  Walton,  school- 
master, a  man  of  sober  life  and  conver- 
sation, and  of  good  abilities  for  that  em- 
ployment. The  other  school  is  kept  near 
the  church  by  a  stranger.  The  school  in 
Frankford  has  about  forty  scholars;  the 
other  school   about  twenty." 

In  this  report  of  1728  occurs  the  first 
reference  to  a  second  school,  "the  school 

30 


kept  iioar  tin-  clmrch,"  ami  it  prolialily 
occupied  til.'  (iriKiiml  clmrcli  linil.liii;;  n{ 
lops.  Am  entry  in  the  niiimtes  of  tlie 
vestry  fur  tiic  yejir  17  It!  indicates  a  RDod 
state  of  iiior.il  feeling  and  a  sense  of 
resp.insihility  \\,r  the  general  ((Hi.luct  ami 
eflUiency  uf  the  scIkimI.  It  is  as  fol- 
lows: "'I'lie  vestry  and  wardens,  etc., 
liavini:  taken  into  consideration  the  be- 
havi(»r  of  (ieorge  Forster,  schoolmaster, 
ordered  that  he  should  be  iramediuteiy 
dismissed  from  teaching  school  and  that 
no  other  person  should  be  admitted  to 
teach  school  in  the  house  belonging  to 
Oxford  Church  unless  he  bring  -with 
liim  ample  testimonials  of  his  good  be- 
havior, from  the  people  where  he  last 
taught  school,  and  also  of  his  being  well 
qualitied  for  the  same.  And  likewise 
that  he  be  a  regular  member  of  the 
Church    of  England." 

The  Nathaniel  \Yalton  spoken  of  in 
17 IS  as  "our  sehooluiaster,"  aud  referred 
to  again  iu  1728  as  "the  schoolmaster  at 
Frankford"  was  without  doubt  the  sou  of 
Nathaniel  Walton,  one  of  the  four  Wal- 
ton brothers  who  came  to  this  country 
in  li;7."(,  seven  years  before  the  arrival 
of   William    I'enn. 

Nathaniel,  Thomas,  Daniel  and  William 
Walton,  young  unmarried  nun,  arrived 
Ht  New  Castle  from  England  early  iu 
107;').  Tliey  ascended  the  Delaware  River 
to  the  mouth  of  the  i'oquessing  Creek, 
and  settled  in  the  district  later  known  as 
liyberry. 

Martindale.  in  his  "History  of  Ryb^rrr 
aud  Moreland,"  slates  that  iu  IthS't  the 
monthly  meeting  of  Friends,  held  alter- 
nately at  Tacony  and  I'oquessing,  gave 
its  approval  to  the  proposed  marriage  of 
Nathaniel  Walton,  of  Hylierry,  and  .Mar- 
tha Bownall,  of  Philadelphia,  which  mar- 
riage was  accomplished  11  mo.  lid,  lG8o. 
31 


The  Tacony  meeting  was  afterwards  call- 
ed the  Oxford  Meeting,  and  later,  after 
the  year  1800,  was  known  as  Frank- 
ford  Meeting.  The  Poquessing  Meeting 
became  known  later  as  Byberry  Meeting. 
In  1702  George  Keith,  who  had  for- 
merly been  a  pi-ominent  preacher  among 
the  Friends  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  first 
master  of  Penn's  chartered  school,  hay- 
ing received  Orders  in  the  English 
Church,  returned  to  America  as  a  mis- 
sionary, being  the  first  missionary  seut 
out  by  the  now  venerable  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts.  When  the  Society  of  Friends  was 
divided  through  the  preaching  of  George 
Keith,  Nathaniel  Walton,  the  elder,  and 
his  family  adopted  the  teachings  of  Keith. 
They,  with  others,  left  the  Friends, 
and  were  baptized  and  associated  them- 
selves with  the  Church  in  Oxford  Town- 
ship, called  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity. 

Nathaniel  Walton,  Jr.,  the  son  of  the 
first  Nathaniel  referred  to  by  Martindale 
in  hLs  history  as  "the  schoolmaster,"  and 
known  to  be  a  man  "of  good  abilities" 
for  that  employment,  and  "of  sober  life 
and  conversation,"  the  faithful  lay  reader 
on  Sundays  when  no  clergyman  could  be 
had,  died  in  Moreland  Township  at  an 
advanced  age.  He  must  have  been  a 
young  man  in  the  year  1718,  when  we 
first  hear  of  him  in  this  neighborhood  as 
"our  schoolmaster,  a  man  of  good  re- 
pute among  us." 

During  all  these  years,  though  the 
Friends'  Meeting  had  been  estabhshed  in 
Frankford  in  1683  and  a  log  meeting 
house  had  been  erected  in  1084.  there  is 
no  record  to  show  that  a  school  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Friends,  and  we  know  that 
Friends  in  the  neighborhood  sent  their 
children  to  Nathaniel  Walton's  school. 

32 


'J'homas  Clialklcy,  one  of  tlic  most 
prominent  men  of  the  colony  at  that 
period,  a  large  shii)i)inu  merchant  ami  an 
accredited  minister  of  hij;h  .slamlinj;  iu 
the  Society  of  Friends,  who  resided  at 
Chalkley  Ilall,  makes  the  following  entry 
in  liis  diary  under  date  of  Wth,  5  mo., 
1T1.'7:  'In  this  month  thinking  it  con- 
venient to  send  onr  little  children  to 
school,  and  not  havini;  a  schoolmaster  of 
our  Society  near  ns,  we  conclinled  to  put 
our  son  and  daughter  under  the  care  of 
Nathaniel  Walton,  teacher  of  a  school 
at  Frankford,  to  whom  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  write  a  few  lines  about  the  salu- 
tations and  language  I  would  have  them 
trained  up  in,  which  were  in  this  wise." 

I^oviug  friend.  Nathaniel  Walton:  I 
hope  thou  wilt  excuse  the  freedom  I  take 
with  thee  in  writing  this  on  account  of 
my  children  in  these  particulars,  viz.:  re- 
si)ecting  the  compliment  of  the  hat  and 
courtesying,  the  practise  thereof  being 
against  my  professed  principles.  First, 
because  I  find  nothing  like  it  in  the  Bible, 
but  as  I  think  the  contrary.  Thou  know- 
est  the  passage  of  the  three  children  of 
God,  who  stood  covered  before  a  mighty 
monarch,  and  Mordecai,  who  stood  cov- 
ered before  great  Ilanian.  Second,  I  be- 
lieve those  practises  derived  from  vain, 
proud   man. 

As  to  language,  I  desire  my  diildren 
may  not  be  pemiitted  to  use  the  plural 
language  to  a  single  person,  but  I  pray 
thee  to  learn  them  to  say  thee  and  thou 
and  thy,  and  to  speak  it  properly,  many 
using  it  improperly.  The  rather  I  de- 
sire it  because  it  is  all  along  used  in  the 
Divine  Inspired  Writing.  I  suppose 
thou  art  not  a  stranger  to  its  use,  being 
from  the  grandeur  and  ajmstasy  of  the 
Romish  Church,  and  also  that  you  to 
a  single   person   is   not   consonant  to  the 

33 


Book  of  God,  or  to  the  true  rules  of 
grammar.  I  know  it  is  generally  stated 
that  the  end  of  speech  is  to  be  undenr 
stood,  but  it  is  understood  better  in  and 
according  to  the  language  of  God,  Christ 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  Bible;  and 
the  language  of  kings  and  all  people  we 
read  in  Holy  Scripture.  Why,  then,  should 
we  be  ashamed  of  it  or  shun  it  and  bring 
in  and  uphold  a  custom  contrary  to  it? 

The  same  care  I  would  have  thee  take 
about  the  names  of  the  days  of  the  week 
and  of  the  months,  which  are  derived 
from  the  names  of  the  gods  of  the 
heathen,  and  are  not  found  in  the  Bible. 
I  suppose  I  have  the  mind  of  all  those 
of  our  Society  in  the  above,  it  being  con- 
sonant to  our  principle  and  profession, 
and  I  write  in  a  motion  of  Divine  love 
to  all. 

As  to  the  school  learning  of  my  children 
I  leave  it  to  thy  management,  not  ques- 
tioning thy  ability  therein,  and  if  they 
wajit  correction  spare  not  the  rod. 

I  hope  thou  wilt  observe  this  direction 
in  teaching  my  children  in  which  thou 
wilt  oblige  thy  assured  friend." 

THOMAS  CHALKLEY 

A  second  letter  from  Thomas  Chalkley 
to  Nathaniel  Walton  is  dated  Frankford. 
10th   mo.,   10th,    1727.      It  is  as  follows: 

"Loving  Friend :  Being  about  to  em- 
bark for  the  Barbadoes,  I  leave  the 
charge  of  my  little  children  to  thy  carc; 
not  doubting  thy  management  of  them 
by  their  growing  in  their  learning.  Please 
to  instruct  them  in  sobriety,  and  the  fear 
of  God,  and  faith  in  Christ,  and  if  1 
should  never  see  tliem  or  thee  any  more 
our  lives  being  uncertain  in  this  world, 
pray  let  them  know  it  was  their  father's 
will  and  desire  that  they  should  mind 
their  learning,  and,  above  all  things,  mind 
the  fear  of  the  Most  High.  When  my 
34 


little  daughter  hath  ivad  ]ier  Testament 
througli,  I  would  have  her  go  to  writ- 
inp,  and  George  the  same  on  the  same 
terms.  Please  to  learn  the  use  of  chap- 
ter and  verso,  that  if  any  ask  them  where 
they   are   learning   they   may   be   able  to 

tell. 

Kind  fririul,  fur  as  nuuli  as  I  per- 
ceive, thou  hast  followed  my  former  di- 
rections, I  look  on  myself  as  obliged  to 
tliee,  and  therefore  am  so  much  more  free 
to  impart  my  mind  to  thee  now  on  my 
departure,  which  with  real  love  is  from 
thy  loving  friend,' 

THOMAS  CIIALKLEY. 
"P.  P.— Although   my   care   is  great   for 
my  children   learning  their  books,   yet  it 
is  so  much  more  so  as  to  their  learning 
true  piety  and  virtue." 

The  careful  perusal  of  these  letters  can- 
not fail  to  show  us  not  only  the  thought- 
ful loving  care  of  a  father  in  Thomas 
Chalkley,  but  also  the  high  esteem  in 
which  our  first  Frankford  schoolmaster 
was  held,  both  as  to  his  character  as  a 
man  and  as  to  his  ability  as  a  teacher. 
Such  records  of  worthiness  and  appre- 
ciation  are  pleasant  to  read. 

We  should  be  glad  if  we  could  know 
where  in  Frankford  the  house  of  Nath- 
aniel Walton  stood,  in  which  this  school 
was  conducted,  and  the  service  of  the 
church  was  held  on  Sundays. 

We  have  no  records  to  show  when  the 
school  kept  in  Frankford  by  Nathaniel 
Walton,  Jr.,  in  IT'JT  and  1728,  ceased  to 
exist. 

The  next  mention  of  a  school  in  Frank- 
ford occurs  in  1754.  The  Rev.  D.  L. 
Miller,  D.  P.,  lato  Rector  of  St.  Mark's 
Church  found  in  a  letter  dated  1754 
written  by  one  of  the  missionaries  sent 
to  this  country  by  the  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  the  following 

35 


statement:—"!  came  to  the  village  of 
Frankford,  and  established  a  school 
upon  the  King's  Highway.  There  for  a 
period  I  taught  and  from  time  to  time 
held  the  services  of  the  church."  The 
name  of  the  clergyman  who  wrote  the 
letter  is  not  given. 

The  next  authentic  mention  of  a  school 
in   Frankford     was    in    1768,    14    j'-ears 
later.    On    September   12,    1768,    William 
A.shbridge,  Rudolph  Neff  and  Isaiah  Wor- 
rell, as  trustees  of  a  fund  raised  by  the 
people  of  Frankford  for  the  erection  of  a 
school  house,  purchased  a  piece  of  ground 
at  Walu  and  Spring  streets,  on  which  the 
school  afterward  known   as  the     Spring 
House    School,    was   built.       This   school 
house   is  ably  described  by  Mr.  Robert 
T.    Corson,    Esq.,    in    his    paper  on  "The 
First  School  House  of  Frankford."    The 
ground   was  purchased    in    1768.       Mr. 
Corson  infers  that  the  school  house  was 
built  and  in  use  in  1770,  as  in  that  year 
another  strip  of  land,  30  feet  wide,  was 
bought,  to  open  a  way  of  approach  to  it. 
We  have  no  knowledge  as  to  who  taught 
the  school  between  1768-70  and  1784,  or 
whether    the      school    was      continuously 
open.    It  was  built  at  the  time  the  politi- 
cal troubles  were  taking  shape,  which  led 
to  the  Revolutionary  War.    Immediately 
after  the  close  of  the  war  in  1784  we  find 
Benjamin  Kite  in  charge  of  the  school.  It 
is  recorded  that  in  10  Month,  1784,  Ben- 
jamin  Kite   married   Rebecca   Walton   in 
Byberry  Meeting,   and,  bringing  his  wife 
with  him,  came  to  Frankford  to  teach  the 
school.    He  resided  in  the  dwelling  next 
the  school,  and  remained  in  charge  of  it 
until  1792,   a  period  of  eight  years.     He 
left   Frankford   to   teach  in  the  Friends' 
School  in  Philadelphia.    Something  of  the 
character  of  Benj.  Kite  and  his  methods  of 
teaching,  can  be  learned  from  the  journal 

36 


of  John  Coinly,  antlior  of  the  fiinious 
('(tuily's  Spclliiiii;  i?ook,  and  for  nmny 
years  teacher  of  the  school  in  Byberry, 
whicli  Benjamin  Kite  loft  to  take  charye 
of  the  school  in  Frankfonl. 

John  Conily  was  lioiii  in  177."..  He 
statrs  in  iiis  junrn.il:  ".My  first  school- 
master was  Hi'ujaniin  Kite,  a  young  man 
who  had  lived  in  the  Mason  family,  and 
was  introduced  into  the  Friends  School,  at 
Byberry,  tlu-iiu;:li  the  moans  nf  'j'homas 
^^'alnlsloy,  and  Aj^nes  his  wife,  who  was 
a  -Mason.  I  suppose  my  ai)tuess  of  learn- 
iiiK  while  -so  small  in  growth,  attracted 
his  attention,  and  he  showed  particular 
marks  of  kindness  to  me.  I  became  much 
attached  to  him,  and  thus  a  foundation 
was  laid  for  a  friendship  of  long  con- 
tinuance." 

This  e.vtract  from  .Tohn  Condy's  journal 
shows  Benjamin  Kite  to  have  been  a 
teacher  who  studied  the  individual  char- 
acteristics of  his  children,  and  that  he 
developed  their  natural  gifts  by  kindness 
and  attention  to  their  little  personalities. 

We  also  learn  from  John  Comly's  jour- 
nal that  the  methods  of  teachinsr  were  the 
same  as  those  used  by  Nathaniel  Walton 
in  17-J7. 

In  Thomas  Chalkley's  letter  to  Nathan- 
hol  Walton  he  tells  him:  "When  my  little 
dau;:htor  hath  read  her  Testamort 
through,  I  would  have  lier  go  to  writin/ ." 
John  Comly  tells  us:  "The  practice  in 
school  then  was  to  learn  to  spell  in  four 
or  five  syllables  before  learning  to  read, 
and  to  read  tolerably  well  in  the  Testa- 
ment before  learning  to  %vrite."  He  adds, 
"when  I  was  nine  years  old  I  was  put  to 
ciphering."  These  extracts  from  John 
Comly's  journal  are  interesting  to  lis  in 
this  connection  because  it  is  our  School- 
master Benjamin  Kite  and  his  school  in 
Byberry.  Juhn  Comly  is  describing.  He 
37 


tells  us  "that  in  tbe  time  of  the  American 
Revohition,  one  day  the  schoolmaster 
(this  must  refer  to  Benjamin  Kite)  was 
taken  from  his  school  on  account  of  mili- 
tary fines,  and  we  all  had  to  go  home,  sad 
and  sorrowful."  In  1780  he  describes  the 
winter  as  being  A'ery  hard,  and  that  he 
was  frequently  carried  to  school  by  a  big 
boy  who  lived  with  his  father. 

After  Benjamin  Kite  came  to  Frank- 
ford  in  1784  John  Comly  only  attended 
school  in  the  winter  months.  In  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  summer  of  1784,  though 
not  yet  11,  he  states,  "I  was  put  to  plow- 
ing. Being  of  small  growth  for  a  plow- 
boy,  the  labor  at  first  was  very  toilsome; 
but,  possessing  some  emulation,  I  soon  be- 
came delighted  with  the  employment  and 
made  such  proficiency  in  the  business  that 
in  the  ensuing  year,  with  a  little  of  my 
father's  aid,  I  became  principal  plowman. 
John  Comly  thus  shows  us  that  manual 
training  was  not  neglected  in  the  educa- 
tion of  children  at  that  period. 

Beyond  the  fact  that  the  ground  was 
bought  and  the  school  house  erected  in 
1768  and  that  Benjamin  Kite  was  the 
teacher  between  1784  and  1792  no  further 
mention  of  this  school  has  been  found  un- 
til 1799,  when  it  is  stated  that  the  chil- 
dren, having  become  more  numerous, 
larger  accommodations  were  required,  and 
the  school  house  property  was  sold  for 
$075. 

It  was  computed  that  one-half  of  those 
persons  who  had  contributed  to  the  origi- 
nal fund  were  Quakers.  The  money  was 
equally  divided  between  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  trustees  appointed,  by  rep- 
resentatives of  the  other  contributors  to 
receive  their  share. 

The  Friends  erected  a  school  house  on 
the  Meeting  House  ground,  at  Oxford  and 
Gillingham  streets.    The     trustees     used 
38 


llw-ir  sliiiro  in  ijiirclm.sinp  (ho  lot  on  Paul 
street,  on  which  the  ueadcniy  was  after- 
wards buih. 

It  is  intorestiiif;  to  iioti'  in  cli)siii<?  tliin 
account  of  tiu'  Sprin-,'  Houst;  Schixjl,  that 
a  great  grandaughti'r  of  Benjamin  Kite, 
at  present  has  charge  of  the  Friends' 
School  in  connection  witti  the  Orthodox 
Meeting  in  Frank  ford. 


The  Academy. 

On  the  sale  of  the  Spring  House  Sehool 
in  1709  the  trustees  appointed  hy  tlie 
representatives  of  those  persons  who  did 
not  belong  to  the  Society  of  Friends  re- 
ceived as  their  share  half  of  the  sum 
reftlized  by  the  sale  of  the  old  property. 
It   amounted   to  about  $337. 

With  this  money  they  purchased  the 
lot  on  Paul  street,  or  Paul's  lane,  as  it 
was  then  called,  now  occupied  by  the 
Kehoboth  Methodist  Church  and  u'rave- 
yard.  They  erected  a  building,  in  which 
a  school  was  kept  on  the  second  floor. 
This  school  was  chartered  in  1800  as  the 
Fraukford    Academy. 

The  building  was  used  for  some  years 
as  ihe  Town  Hall,  and  a  portion  of  it 
was  fitted  up  for  a  jail.  It  soon  be- 
came known  as  the  Academy,  a  title  it 
received  from  the  school  held  from  the 
lime  of  its  erection  within  its  walls,  and 
which  it  retained  as  long  as  the  building 
stood.  About  ISiO  the  Academy  prop- 
erty was  sold  to  Ilobert  and  Samuel 
Iluckel,  residents  of  Fraukford.  They 
transferred  it  to  the  Society,  afterwards 
organized  as  the  llehoboth  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  Academy  is  described  as  a  sub- 
stantial stone  building,  with  a  piazza  ex- 
tending along  its  entire  front,  and  in 
later  years  with  a  neat  cupola  on  its 
39 


northern  end,  furnished  with  a  bell. 

The  building  stood  until  1879,  when  it 
was  removed  to  make  room  for  the  en- 
largement of  the   Methodist  Church. 

The  first  person  who  taught  at  the 
Academy  School  was  Samuel  Morrow,  an 
Irish  teacher,  who  came  to  this  country 
about   1798.     He  taught   eight   months. 

Mr.  Axe,  in  his  address  on  Fraukford 
Schools,  made  at  the  opening  of  the 
Alexander  Henry  School,  in  1890,  states 
"that  because  of  a  disagreement  among 
the  managers,  Mr.  Morrow  resigned." 
With  the  help  of  some  friends  he  built 
a  stone  building  on  Paul  street,  north 
of  the  Academy,  which  became  known 
as  Morrow's  School.  This  building  is 
still  standing,  and  is  numbered  42G7  and 
4269  Paul  street. 

Mr.  Morrow  was  succeeded  as  the 
teacher  of  the  Academy  School  by  John 
Reilly.  Mr.  Reilly  was  followed  by  the 
Rev.  Burgess  Allison,  a  Baptist  minis- 
ter. 

The  Misses  Annie  and  Mary  Gibson, 
old  residents  of  Frankford,  who  died 
within  a  few  years,  stated  that  Mr.  Al- 
lison was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Doak,  a  Presbyterian  minister.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Doak,  afterwards  removed  to  North 
Carolina  and  became  a  prominent  teacher 
in  that  State. 

Mr.  Doak  was  followed  by  Joseph 
Stockton.  Robert  McLurgan  followed 
Joseph  Stockton.  The  Misses  Gibson 
told  that  between  1820  and  1830  the 
Academy  School  under  Mr.  McLurgan 
was  known  as  the  great  School  of 
Frankford,  and  sometimes  spoken  of  as 
the  Latin  School,  Latin  and  Greek  being 
regularly  taught.  Mr.  McLurgan  wrote 
a  poem  on  the  "Discovery  of  America." 
The  only  portion  of  the  poem  the  Misses 
Gibson    could    recall    is      the      following 

40 


fJiyrae: 

'"When    Columbus    set    sail    from    noted 

Fort   Talos 
His    mutinous    crew    said,    'This    object 
will    fail   us.'  " 

We  regret  the  ballad  hag  been  lost. 

Mr.  McLurgan  required  his  boys  at  the 
closing  session  on  Saturday  to  compose 
at  least  two  lines  of  poetry.  Upon  one 
occasion  Edward  Borie  produced  as  his 
rhyme,  "Man  is  mortal,  like  the  tortle." 
Mr.  McLurgan  did  not  object  to  the  sen- 
timent, but  gave  the,  embyro  poet  a 
severe  caning  for  mispelling  turtle  in 
order  to  finish  his  line  satisfactorily. 

The  Academy  School  is  always  men- 
tioned as  one  of  the  numerous  schools  in 
this  vicinity  attended  by  Commodore  De- 
catur, whose  father  at  one  time  occupied 
the  property  on  Powder  Mill  lane,  af- 
terwards known  as  the  Decatur  Man- 
sion. 

In  1S4T  a  .Joseph  Tucker  taujiht  at  the 
Academy  School.  It  is  recorded  in  the 
minutes  of  the  Educational  Commission 
"that  Joseph  Tucker  received  in  1841 
$.317.43  for  teaching  indigent  children 
at   the   Academy    School." 

On  the  opening  of  the  Marshall  School 
in  1842  the  Academy  School  seems  to 
have    been    abandoned. 

1800. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1800  Samuel 
Morrow,  the  first  teacher  of  the  Academy 
School,  erected  a  rough-cast  stone  build- 
ing on  Paul  street  north  of  Ruan  street, 
which  wa.«  afterward  known  as  Morrow'.s 
School  House.  This  building  is  still 
standing  and  is  numbered  4litJ7  and  4"_'<;!> 
Paul  street. 

Mr.  Morrow  taught  this  .school  from 
1800  to   the   time  of   his   death,    in    1831. 

41 


His  school  was  well  attended  and  he 
iisually  had  several  assistants.  In  later 
years  he  had  q,  number  of  children,  who 
were  taught  at  the  expense  of  the  county 
of  Philadelphia.  From  1819  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  in  1831,  at  every  meeting  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Education  large 
bills  for  the  instruction  of  poor  children 
were  presented  by  Samuel  Morrow. 

Before  Mr.  Morrow's  death  the  owner- 
ship of  the  building  was  vested  in  the 
Huckel  family  and  the  Methodist  Church. 
An  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the 
School  Commission,  dated  September  27, 
18.30,  reads:  "Paid  Robert  and  Samuel 
Iluckel  and  the  Methodist  Society  $30 
for  rent  for  Samuel  Morrow's  School." 
Mr.  Morrow  is  said  to  have  been  a  good 
teacher  and  a  strict  disciplinarian. 

Mr.  Wickersbam,  in  his  history  of 
education  in  Pennsylvania  states,  "that 
about  the  year  1800  Alexander  Wilson, 
afterward  known  as  the  famous  orni- 
thologist, taught  a  school  in  or  near 
Frankford." 

The  school  taught  by  Alexander  Wilson 
stood  on  the  Bristol  turnpike,  a  short 
distance  above  Dark  Run  lane.  The 
building  was  removed  several  years  ago, 
but  a  heap  of  rubbish  continued  to  max"k 
the  spot  until  very  recently. 

Tradition  relates  that  Alexander  Wil- 
son's heart  and  hand  were  refused  by  a 
fair  maiden  of  Frankford,  Miss  Martha 
Worrell.  This  disappointment  caused 
liim  to  leave  the  neighborhood.  In  18U4 
he  obtained  a  school  in  the  Swedish  set- 
tlement of  Kingsessing.  Here  he  met 
and  made  the  acquaintance  of  John  Bar- 
tram,  the  great  botanist,  whose  house 
and  grounds  are  preserved  by  the  city 
and  known  as  Bartram's  Garden. 
Through  his  friendship  with  Mr.  Bar- 
tram,  Alexander  W^ilson's  attention  was 
42 


directed  to  tlip  study  of  nature,  and  lie 
devoted  liis  life  to  seientifie  investigation 
into  the  liahits  of  life,  of  the  birds  of 
North  AniBiirn.  Frankford  lias  the 
lioiMir  of  liaviiii:  li:id  a  school  in  her 
ininieiliate  neii;hliorhnod  taujjlit  liy  tliis* 
(lisl  inirnislH'd   man. 

The  Original  Friends' School. 

Willi  half  v{  the  money  obtained 
through  the  sale  of  the  Si)rin>;  House 
Stiiool  ill  171)1)  the  Society  of  Friends 
liuiit  a  school  house  on  the  old  Meetiuj; 
House  priiperty,  Unity  and  Wain  streets. 
The  school  house  was  taken  down  in 
1854,  when  Oxford  street  was  opened 
to  the  creek. 

The  first  teacher  whose  name  has  been 
found  in  connfction  with  this  school  was 
William  Kickman.  The  Misses  Gibson 
stated  that  he  taught  the  siliool  in  WM 
Hud  was  laiuiliarly  known  as  '"IJilly'' 
Kickman.  We  have  evidence  to  show 
that  William  Rickman  taught  the  school 
in  1819.  lie  received  on  January  15, 
18120.  $8.47  from  the  County  Commis- 
sioners in  payment  for  the  tuition  of  in- 
digent children.  William  Rickmaii  in 
liis  later  year.s  became  insane. 

The  MisKeK  Gibson  thought  Jolin  (x. 
Lewis  succeeded  Mr.   Uickiuaii.  (We 

have  in  our  possession  a  letter  written  in 
July  1828,  by  John  (t.  Lewis  to  Miss 
English,  a  pupil  of  the  school,  describ- 
inj;  a  journey  he  made  during  his  vaca- 
tion.) In  1841  it  was  made  into  what 
was  called  at  that  time  a  salaried  school 
and  Zilpah  Uoberts,  the  teacher,  received 
$1H0  a  year  for  the  instruction  of  poor 
children. 

Charles  Murphy,  second  editor  of  the 
Frankford  Herald,  taught  the  school  in 
184").     He    was      probably    .succeeded    by 

4;i 


Sarah  Comly.  Later  on  Talleyrand 
Grover  taught  the  school.  He  was  one 
of  three  brothers,  two  of  whom  were  dis- 
tinguished in  public  life.  One  was  a 
United  States  Senator  and  one  a  General 
during  the  civil  war. 

Eli  Adams  succeeded  Talleyrand 
Grover. 

Henrietta  Rose  was  the  teacher  when 
the  building  was  removed  and  the  .school 
disbanded. 

Henrietta  Rose  afterward  married 
Warner  Dubree,  a  farmer,  of  Piueville, 
Bucks  county.  She  is  still  living  and  re- 
sides  in   Princeton,    N.   J. 

1806. 

Clermont  Seminary 

In  18CKj  a  school  called  Cleremont  Semi- 
nary was  established  by  three  brothers, 
John,  Thomas  and  Charles  Carie,  or 
Clerc,  on  Nicetown  lane,  not  far  from 
Second  street  road.  The  Clerc  brothers 
were  French  gentlemen,  who  came  to 
this  country  at  the  close  of  the  French 
Revolution. 

Their  school  was  known  as  a  French 
Academy,  and  was  attended  by  sons  of 
many  prominent  Philadelphia  families. 
Among  others,  the  three  sons  of  Mr. 
John  Welsh,  Sr.,  Samuel,  John  and  Wil- 
liam, were  educated  here.  It  was  through 
attending  this  school  William  Welsh  be- 
came   familiar    with    this    neighborhood. 

At  the  time  Wilham  Welsh  attended 
Cleremont  Seminary  James  Tatham  was 
the  head  master.  He  is  descriued  as  au 
Enghshmau  and  a  graduate  of  Oxford 
University.  He  is  buried  in  the  grave- 
yard of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the 
corner  of  Frankford  avenue  and  Church 
street.  The  following  is  a  translation  of 
44 


lilt'  Latin  inscriptinn  on  his  tombstone: 
Here   lies, 
Awuitiiiif  the  last  ilay, 

.lames    'rntiiain. 
Ye  who  pass  by  ou  the  way  to  death, 
It  is  enough. 
Who  he  was, 
What  lie  was. 
That  day  sliail  declare. 
He  died,   a^cd   sixty, 
December  L'O,  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord 
1829. 

Mr.  .Tames  Tatham  was  the  father  of 
the  family  of  Tatham  Rros.,  the  well- 
known  lead  manufacturers,  of  I'biladel- 
{•liia. 

Spanish  was  taught  in  Clermont  Semi- 
nary, and  at  one  time  Alonzo  de  Betan- 
conrt  was  the  Spanish  teacher.  He  was 
a  Spanish  nobleman,  son  of  the  Goyernor 
General  of  Cuba.  Participation  in  an  in- 
surrection against  the  Spanish  rule  of  the 
island  led  to  his  extradition.  He  came 
to  riiiladflphia,  and  through  his 
connection  with  Cierniont,  finally 
settled  in  Frankford.  His  remains  lie 
imder  the  pavement  of  St.  Joachim's 
Church.  The  inscription  on  his  tomb  tells 
that  he  w.is  born  in  Puerto  Principe, 
Cuba,  March  34,  5790,  and  died  in 
Frankford,  Philadelphia,  March  18,  18;?7. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  culture.  The 
writer  has  in  her  possession  a  portrait 
of  Mr.  Betancourt. 

Clermont  school  was  in  existence  many 
years.  The  first  issue  of  the  Public 
Ledger  of  March  25,  1836,  contains  the 
following  advertisement:     "  Clermont 

P.oardiug  Academy  is  three  miles  and  a 
half  north  of  Philadelphia,  in  a  situation 
justly  considered  one  of  the  most  i)leas- 
ant  and  healthy  in  the  viiinity  of  the 
city.  It  is  a  mile  and  a  half  southwest 
from  Frankford,  the  nearest  village,  and 

46 


the  students  are  entirely  free  from  the 
influence  of  improper  company.  No  day 
scholars  are  admitted. 

The  course  of  study  embraces  all  the 
elementary  and  most  of  the  higher 
branches  of  English  and  mathematics. 
The  primary  design  of  the  institution  is 
to  qualify  young  men  thoroughly  for  busi- 
ness and  usefulness.  All  the  pupils  live 
in  the  family  and  enjoy  the  most  free  and 
social  intercourse  with  the  principal  and 
his  assistants.  The  government  is  strict- 
ly parental,  mild  but  firm,  and  great 
care  is  taken  to  instil  correct  moral 
principles  and  conduct.  The  number 
of  students  rarely  exceeds  forty-five, 
while  six  .  teachers  are  constantly  em- 
ployed in  giving  instruction,  three  of 
whom  alM'ays  reside  in  the  family. 

The  facilities  for  acquiring  the  French, 
Spanish  and  German  languages  are  su- 
perior to  most  institutions  in  this  coun- 
try; each  class  having  a  separate  teacher 
who  speaks  his  native  language  and  takes 
great  pains  by  conversation  and  exer- 
cises to  give  a  habit  of  correct  pronuncia- 
tion and  idiom. 

All  the  students  have  the  advantage  of 
familiar  lectures  on  natural  philosophy 
and  natural  history,  illustrated  with  good 
apparatus  and  numerous  experiments. 
They  have  access  to  a  carefully-selected 
library  of  two  thousand  volumes,  free  of 
charge.  Terms:  For  tuition  in  English, 
boarding  and  washing,  $35  per  quarter, 
payable  in  advance;  for  Greek,  Latin, 
French,  Spanish,  German  and  drawing, 
each  $5  per  quarter  additional. 

Samuel  S.  Griscom,  principal.  Refer- 
ence in  Philadelphia,  Thomas  Roberts, 
Joshua  Longstreth,  Richard  Price,  Joseph 
Warner,  William  Wharton,  Joseph 
Ripka,  Charles     Field,   William     Geisse, 

46 


George  W.  Ceisse,  George  Griscom,  John 
T).  Grist'ciii.  Ill  Ni'w  Orleans,  John 
Ila^rnn,   Jiiims    ll()|)kiiis,   Ks(i. 

A  laiclul  ivatliiij;  of  lliia  lulvertisenient 
{lives  «is  iuforiualiim  n'gardiiig  the  cost 
of  tuition  in  such  an  institution  seventy- 
two  years  aj-'o,  and  also  a  clear  account 
of  the  course  of  study  pursued  in  the 
iHchuol.  We  also  learu  th:it  the  school'.H 
reputation  extended  beyond  this  city,  two 
of  the  referees  liviiijj  in  New  Orleans. 

The  buildings  of  Clereiuont  Seminary 
were  burned  some  years  ago,  but  the 
ruins  remained  vinlil  within  a  compara- 
tively short  period. 


1818-19-20. 


In  181S-]!)  and  '20  Mrs.  Ann  or  Han- 
nah Kester,  widow,  taupht  a  school  on 
Fi-ankfurd  avenue  above  Church  street. 

Mrs.  Kester  afterward  married  Thos, 
Shrillcross  and  resided  on  her  husband's 
farm  on  the  Bristol  turnpike  above 
Frankford.  Her  sons,  .lolin  and  William 
Kester,  were  well  known  in  Frankford. 
Her  daughter,  Sarah,  who  married 
Thomas  Castor,  Sr.,  taught  a  school  in 
I''rankford  in  1833.  Her  name  appears 
in  that  year  in  the  minute  book  of  the 
County  Commissioners  as  receiving  pay- 
ment for  the  instruction  of  poor  children. 
In  1830  Elizal)eth  B.  Shallcross,  the 
daii-ihtfT  of  Thoinap  Siiallcross,  tau^'ht 
school  in  a  school  house  erected  by  her 
father  on  his  farm  on  the  Bristol  turn- 
pike. In  1833  her  school  was  also  placed 
on  the  list  of  tho.se  schools  that  received 
payment  from  the  county  for  the  tuition 
of  iiidi^'ent  <-liildreu.  This  building  was 
used  for  school  purposes  for  a  number  of 
years.  For  a  time  b  Sunday  school  met 
there  on  Suiulays. 

47 


Elizabeth  B.  Shallcross  married  Isaac 
Livezey  and  removed  to  Cincinnati, 
where  she  lived  nntil  her  death. 


Frankford's  Salaried  Schools 

Mr.  William  W.  Axe,  iu  his  address  at 
the  opening  of  the  Alexander  Henry 
School  in  lb90,  stated  that  Isaac  Shall- 
cross  commenced  teaching  in  Frankford 
in  1S19  in  a  log  school  house  which 
stood  at  the  corner  of  Frankford  avenue 
and   Foulkrod  street. 

Mr.  George  H.  Pattison  informs  us 
that  this  log  building  at  the  corner  of 
Foulkrod  street  was  soon  exchanged  for 
a  rough-cast  stone  house,  which  still 
stands  on  Frankford  avenue  above  Foulk- 
rod street.  The  house  at  the  present 
time  is  used  as  two  dwellings  and  num- 
bered 4809-4811. 

This  >stone  house  must  be  the  building 
referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  the  School 
Directors  of  the  Fifth  Section  under  the 
date  of  April  21,  1821. 

The  minute  reads:  "The  Dii'ectors  of 
Oxford  township  inform  the  Boanl  of 
Control  that  they  have  agreed  with  Isaac 
Shallcross  to  instruct  all  children  taught 
at  public  expense  in  the  township  for  a 
yearly  allowance  of  .$2r»0  and  that  they 
had  rented  a  school  room." 

It  was  the  adoption  of  this  minute 
which  provided  Frankford  with  what  was 
known  at  that  time  as  a  "salaried  school. ' ' 

Before  this  time  children  whose  parents 
could  not  afford  to  pay  for  their  school- 
ing were  placed  by  the  county  in  tlie 
schools  of  the  village  or  neighborhood, 
and  the  teacher  of  the  school  was  paid  for 
their  tuition.  On  April  21,  1821,  the 
Board  of  Oxford  Township  decided  to 
place  all  such  children  in  one  school  and 

48 


t"  I'^iy  n  !,'ivfM  simi  ti>  a  sclioolnjasli-r  for 
tlii-ir  iiistriictiiiii. 

'I'lic  iiiiiMiU'H  riiriliiT  stall'  llial  on  July 
21,  1S"_'1,  11  liill  was  pri'sonted  by  .luiues 
Dyre,  iigoiit  for  .lames  Johnson,  owntT, 
"liir  twi>  nimitlis'  rciil  of  (lu^  Kraiikfinil 
sfliool  house."  This  is  llie  first  un-iitioii 
nl'  a  biiiidiiij;  routed  by  the  public  autliori- 
tios  for  a  schiml  house. 

On  .Inly  :50,  1821,  Benjamin  and 
Thouias  Kite,  sons  of  our  schoulniastir 
iif  ilic  eiKhteenth  centur.v,  iiri'sciilcd  a 
bill  for  )};10..".7  for  books  and  .stalinnery 
supplied  Isaac  Shalloros.s'  school.  This 
is  the  first  item  rui  record  of  jiublic  suj)- 
plies  for  a  ptiblic  school  iu  Fraukford. 
On  March  2."».  1S22,  .Jacob  Leslier  i)re- 
seuted  a  bill  "for  scuntlinj;  work  in  Isaac 
Shallcross'  school  house."  This  is  the 
first  bill  on  record  for  repairs  to  a  public 
school  house  in  Frankfnrd. 

Isaac  Shallci'oss  taught  this  school  un- 
til 1S:j7,  when  salaried  schools  in  Frank- 
ford  were  given  up.  The  followinn;  reso- 
lution was  adopted  by  the  Board  Septem- 
ber 25,  1837.  The  resolution  reads  as  fol- 
lows: "A  resolution  was  adopted  dis- 
liensin.K  with  salaried  schools  in  Frank- 
ford.  The  teachers  tif  these  schools  are 
Isaac  Shallcross  and  John  B.  Smith." 

This  is  the  lirst  iJiiir  in  the  miuHtes  of 
the  Board  the  luuuc  of  Jubu  15.  Smith 
occurs  in  connection  with  I'rankford 
schools.  The  salaried  schools  were  aban- 
doned iu  1SP.7  because  the  accommodation 
they  offeretl  was  insufllcient  for  the  in- 
<reasiiig  number  of  children.  Wo  have 
records  showinj;  that  after  1X.".(»  numer- 
ous private  school  teachers  received  pay- 
ment for  the  instruction  of  thesr  chil- 
dren. 

.John  B.  Smith  may  have  been  the 
teacher  of  Samuel  Morrow's  school  in 
lSo7,  at  the  time  salaried  scbotils  were 
49 


given  np.  The  records  state  tliat  in  ISHO 
rent  was  paid  by  the  County  Commis- 
sioners to  the  Huckel  family  and  the 
Methodist  Society  for  Samuel  Morrow's 
school  house. 

On  the  closing  of  the  salaried  schools 
the  children  were  again  distributed  among 
the  schools  of  the  village  and  neighbor- 
hood. From  the  minutes  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  for  March  20,  1838,  the  fol- 
lowing named  teachers  of  schools  in  this 
borough  and  township  received  the  fol- 
lowing sums  of  money  for  the  instruction 
of  children  vrho  were  then  termed  "in- 
digent children:" 

;Mary  A.   Harper    $40.54 

Pauline  J.   Roberts    50.79 

Esther   W.    Rose    11.90Vjs 

George  Roberts  (colored  school)..     0.3.21 

Sarah  M.  Murphy 12.04Va 

Isaac    Shallcross     74.4-t 

Jane    Knorr     75.19 

Isaac  C.  Worrell 03.02^^. 

John   M.    Johnson    47.45 

Mary  Ann  and  Sarah  English   . .     44.02 
Minutes  of  September,   1838: 

William   Wood    15.03 

Minutes  of  December,  1838. 

Levi  Foulkrod   41.491/2 

Minutes  of  April  27,   1840: 

Sarah  M.  Murphy   109.15 

Robert  D.  Shock    57.23 

Samuel  Beck 19.17 

Mary    MeMullen    40.00 

Jane    Knorr    80.48 

Esther  W.  Rose   00.50 

Mary  A.   Harper   02.41 

A.   Barned    31.94 

Zilpah  Roberts   (colored   school) . .     40.40 

Minutes  of  January  25,   1841; 
Zilpah  Roberts,  at  Friends'  School    32.77 
Robert     D.     Shock     (Washington 

School ■. 50.30 

William   Barnetz    37.33 

50 


Charity  Wyuli    <X>.'.»i: 

Joseph   Tii.kcr    !CJ.  1.'. 

Anna   May    I'ltttcr    '.',~.'.>~ 

'J'hoinas  H.  Sponscr loT.T;! 

I.    \V.    Wheatland    1(h;.o<» 

Cliarles  VV'ilsi>n   r>J.;i7 

Tliese  pajnu'Uts  mc  the  lust  un  reiuitl 
as  liaviuK  been  paid  to  indivi<liial  teachora 
in   [iiivale  schools   for  puhiir   ciliication. 

At  the  im-etiiiK  of  the  IMroctors  in 
January,  1841,  salarieii  schoijls  were  re- 
established and  the  followinj^  sciiools  and 
teachers  phued  on  the  list,  the  teacher* 
receiving  siilaries  as  follows  • — 
Zilpah  Roberts  (Frien.ls'  School)...  ?H1U 
llobert     M.     Shock     (\Vashiu;^ton 

School)    1.'.'><I 

Samuel   Beck  (Grubtowu)    40 

.Mary   A.    Harper   (FrankfordI 12UO 

.luseph    Tucker    (Academy) '2-7) 

.lane    Knorr    (Frankfurd)     2(X) 

Jacob    r.usby    (colored    school) ISO 

Ksther  W.  Hose  (Frankfordi    20O 

Anna  May   I'ottttr   IW 

Abner    Woolman     80 

Sarah  Murphy    -00 

William  Baruilz $22".  and  :'.0U 

Mary  McMulleu  (Cedar  Grove 17A) 

James    Wheatland    (Wheutsheaf). . .   T.OO 

(Miarity    Wyatt    VJO 

Mary    .1.    Itobcrts    1-0 

Jacob  K.  Kliodes  (colored  school)....  I'i" 
At  a  meeting  "f  tiie  Board  of  Directors 
iield  March  14.  1S42,  the  folUiwing  reso- 
lutiou  was  adopted:  "On  and  after  Sept. 
30,  1842,  schools  in  Frankford  kept  at 
the  public  expense  to  be  discontinued." 

This  resolution  can  be  readily  under- 
stood when  We  remember  that  the  Mar- 
shall School  was  opened  in  October, 
1842.  Mr.  Axe  states  that  Isaac  Shall- 
<ross  also  tausiht  in  Mr.  Morrow's  school 
and  in  the  academy. 
51 


In  18J9  il  Ls  recorded  iu  the  Minute 
Book  of  the  Educational  Commission  that 
Thomas  Boyle,  Mary  Erwin  and  Robert 
Wrixon  received  payment  for  the  tuition 
of  poor  children.  No  allusion  is  made  as  to 
where  in  Fraukford  and  Oxford  township 
these  schools  were  situated.  The  bill  for 
Robert  Wrixon's  school  for  January  4, 
1819,  was  presented  by  Nalhau  Ilai-per. 

In  1819  Parthena  Dungan  taught  a 
school  in  Frnnkford.  Mr.  Charles  H. 
Duffleld  has  in  his  possession  a  receipt 
dated  August  2,  1819,  from  Parthena 
Dungan  for  $2.00  in  payment  for  three 
months'  tuition  of  a  bound  girl  in  the  em- 
ployment of  Mr.  Duflield's  grandfather. 
Mr.  Duffleld  has  also  a  i-eceipt  from 
Elizabeth  Rich  for  $2  for  three  months' 
tuition  of  the  same  girl;  and  a  receipt, 
dated  February  26,  1821,  from  Elizabeth 
Rich  and  Hannah  H.  Benners,  for  three 
months'  schooling  for  the  bound  girl.  The 
bill  reads  as  follow.-*: 

Pebniary  26,  1821. 

Three  months'  tuition $2.00 

Spelling  book 25 

Firewood 18^1 

$2,431/2 

The  following  receipt,  shows  thit  in 
1824  Cornelia  Monteith  taught  a  schoolH 
Frankford  : — 

Received,  December  22nd,  1824,  of  the 
Rev.  Isaac  C.  Worrell,  one  dollar  in  full 
for  schooling  of  children. 
$1.00.    [Signed]  Cornelia  Monteith. 

We  have  no  other  record  of  this 
school. 

The  Misses  Gibson  stated  that  between 
1821  and  18.30  Miss  Hannah  Benners  and 
sister  taught  a  school  in  a  house  which 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  home  of  Rich^ 
ardson  L.  Wright,  4308  Frankford  ave- 
52 


imi*.  Miss  Eliziilii'tli  I'itli  may  have  bfou 
one  of  llu'  sisters  of  Miss  lieiiiicrs.  Tiie 
Misses  (_Jilisi>u  desorilieil  tljeui  as  "tjreut 
Presbyteriaus."  They  refnlled  that  the 
iiuluoeiuent  offered  children  for  attending 
this  scliodi  was  a  weekly  pienic  at  liar- 
rowj^ale  durin;;  the  siiriiif^  uiid  simiiuer 
months.  Karh  child  received  a  dollar 
cake  for  rcfresliMicnts.  These  <-ukeM  were 
the  size  of  a  silver  dollar.  Six  of  them 
conhl  be  piircliased  for  one  cent. 

Abuui  I.m:.")  Kclurah  (Jhapiuau  tant;lil  a 
school  at  her  liome  on  I'aul  street.  Mr. 
George  II.  Paltison  states  the  house  stood 
on  the  >;ro\Hid  now  occupied  by  the  Alex- 
ander Henry  School. 


About  ISliS  Mrs.  Kdmunds  and  her 
dnughter,  taught  a  boarding  and 
day  school  for  girls  on  Frankford 
avenue,  between  Oram's  store  and  Sel- 
lers street.  They  afterward  moved  their 
school  to  two  frame  houses,  still  standing 
on  Orthodox  street  west  of  Frankford 
avenue,  belonging  to  Gardiner  Fulton. 
Later  on  they  moved  to  the  stone  house 
which  stood  at  the  corner  of  Frankford 
avenue  and  Unity  street,  now  occupied  by 
the  drug  store  of  George  L.  R.  Wright. 

The  Misses  Gibson  said  these  ladies  for- 
merly taught  a  large  school  ui  Virginia. 
Dancing  lessons  formed  a  part  of  the 
course  of  study.  Later  in  life  religious 
scruples  caused  them  to  drop  the  dancing 
classes,  which  lessened  the  attendance  to 
such  an  extent  that  they  were  compelled 
to  close  the  school. 

Circumstances  led  them  to  Frankford. 
where  they  opened  the  fine  boarding  and 
day  school  we  have  described.  They  after- 
ward left  Frankford  and  taught  a  si'ho<d 
on  Sanson!  street,  in  Philadelphia.  Their 
school  was  so  popular  that  many  of  their 
Frankford  pupils^  followed  them  to  town. 
The  price  of     tuition   in    Mrs.    Edmunds* 

53 


school  was  nioe  floUars  for  a  term  of  three 
UKinths. 

About  1828  Rev.  Isaac  Worrell  tausht 
a  school  at  Frankford  avenue  aud  Sellers 
street.  Mr.  Worrell's  property  extended 
west  on  Sellers  street.  The  ground  oc- 
cnpiiHl  by  the  ]Marshall  School  was  sold 
by  Mr.  Worrell  to  the  city  in  1841. 

Mr.  Worrell  continued  teaching  his 
school  until  at  least  1838.  In  that  year 
Ills  name  appears  in  the  list  of  those  who 
received  payment  from  the  county  for  in- 
structing p(jor  children. 

From  1830  to  1840  Joseph  Tucl-er 
taught  a  school  in  the  eight-square  school 
house,  which  stood  on  the  banks  of  the 
Frankford  Creek,  at  F.ridesburg.  Many 
of  his  pupils  were  from  Frankford.  Wil- 
liam W.  Axe  and  John  Shallcross  were 
among  the  number. 

Mr.  Tucker  is  described  by  Mr.  Axe  as 
a  good  teacher  and  a  vigorous  disciplin- 
arian. He  relates  how  upon  one  occasion, 
wishing  to  punish  a  number  of  the 
younger  children,  he  put  out  two  of  the 
wider  ones,  William  G.  Lee  and  John 
Murray,  and  proceeded  to  administer  the 
rod  to  the  backs  of  boys  and  girls  alike. 
Mr.  Axe  said,  when  he  told  the  story,  he 
well  remembered  his  own  terror,  expect- 
ing every  instant  to  be  called  up  for  his 
share  of  the  punishment.  Mr.  John  Shall- 
cross was  one  of  the  boys  whipped  on  this 
occasion.  On  complaining  afterward  to 
his  father  of  what  he  considered  his  un- 
just treatment,  his  father,  who  had  been 
a  teacher  himself  and  a  believer  in  disci- 
pline, repeated  the  whipping.  Joseph 
Tucker  afterward  taught  in  the  Academy. 
In  1841,  when  the  Academy  was  made  a 
salaried  school,  he  received  $225  a  year 
in  payment  for  his  services. 

Between  1830  and  1840  the  Misses  Bes- 
sie,   Emma    and    Ella    Williams,    taught 

54 


what  has  heen  clcsorilicd  as  nn  atlvanced 
school  for  girls  in  Coloiiol  Hums'  rt-si- 
liiMicc,  whii'h  foniu'rly  stuoil  at  the  corner 
of  I'rankford  aveniK-  mul  l{i(l;;e  street, 
and  was  uccnpicd  \>y  the  MisscH  Wchsu-r 
fur  niauj  years.  It  was  a  lar<;e  yellow 
iiiaiisuiu  with  a  l>eaiitiful  Harden.  The 
traditions  relating  to  the  Misses  Williams' 
soliool  lead  lis  to  suppose  it  carried  out 
the  ideas  expressed  by  Dr.  Uusb  iu  a 
paper  written  by  him  in  174r»  on  the 
"Kducalion  of  a  Young  Lady."  Dr.  llusli 
advises  "an  ac(|uaintance  with  geography 
and  some  insinictiun  in  cln-onnl<igy,  which 
will  eiiabli'  her  lu  read  history,  biography 
and  travels,  and  thereby  qualify  her  not 
only  for  general  intercourse  with  the 
world,  but  to  be  an  agreeable  companion 
fur  a  sensible  man.  To  these  braucheu 
may  be  added  a  general  acquaintance 
with  the  lirst  principles  of  astronomy, 
natural  philosophy  and  chemistry,  par- 
ticularly su<-h  ji.irts  of  them  as  are  calcu- 
lated to  preveut  supi'rstition,  by  explain- 
ing the  causes  or  obviating  the  efL'ects  of 
natural  evil  and  such  as  are  capable  of 
being  applied  to  domestic  and  culinary 
puriioses." 

About  the  same  time  Betsey  Worrell 
and  her  daughter  taught  school  in  a  house 
on  Kuan  street  cast  of  Fraukford  avenue, 
where  Walton's  comb  factory  now  stands. 
'J'lie  i-hief  attraction  of  this  school  was 
(he  May  picnic,  called  at  the  time  "going 
Maying." 

On  one  occasion  Mrs.  Worrell  composed 
the  following  verse,  which  was  sung  by 
the  children: 
'Twas  on  the  first  day  of  May,  a  morning 

bright  and  clear. 
We  Went  into  the  woods  the  little  birds  to 

hear; 
Likewise  to  get  some     flowers     and     our 

pieces  for  to  say; 
(),  what  a  pleasant  time  we  had,  all  en  fh'> 

lirst  mI  iNLiy." 

55 


In  1830  Absalom  Barnett  taught  ar 
school  on  Fraukl'oid  avenue  nearly  oppo- 
site Adams  street.  His  system  of  instruc- 
tion, like  that  of  Joseph  Tucker,  included 
a  free  use  of  the  rod.  Mr.  Axe  tells  u« 
a  favorite  method  of  punishment  with  Mr. 
Barnett  was  to  stand  a  boy  on  one  foet 
on  the  end  of  a  brick.  Woe  betide  the 
youth  if  he  failed  to  maintain  his  position. 

Sometimes  a  row  of  boys  would  be  seen 
standing  together.  If  one  fell  off  a  gen- 
eral caning  followed.  He  was  considered 
a  good  teacher. 


Between  ISCO  and  1840  Mrs.  Esther 
Rose,  wife  of  'Squire  John  Rose,  assisted 
by  her  daughter,  Rebecca,  taught  a  suc- 
cessful school  in  her  house  on  Frankfoni 
avenue.  The  site  of  the  Ikjusc  is  now  oc- 
<'upied  by  two  stores,  numbered  4349  and 
4351.  This  school  was  afterward  a  sal- 
aried school,  and  Mrs.  Rose  received  $2tX) 
a  year  from  the  county. 

Amosng  the  children  who  attended  this 
school  was  a  httle  girl  who  in  after  years 
became  known  to  the  world  through  her 
literary  title  as  "Grace  Greenwood."  Her 
name  was  Sarah  Jane  Clark.  Her 
parents  resided  for  some  years  in  Frank- 
ford.  She  was  the  iirst  woman  corres- 
pondent sent  to  Europe  to  write  for  an 
American  newspaper.  She  sailed  from 
New  York  in  May,  1852,  on  the  same 
vessel  with  Jenny  Lind,  who  was  return- 
ing to  Sweden.  Her  description  of  Jenny 
Lind,  published  afterward  in  the  Little 
Pilgrim,  gave  this  sweet  singer  an  en- 
during place  in  the  hearts  of  Grace  Green- 
wood's young  readers.  On  her  return  from 
Europe  she  married  Leander  K.  Lippin- 
cott,  and  with  her  husband  began  the 
publication  in  Philadelphia  in  January, 
1854,  of  the  Little  Pilgrim,  a  monthly 
magazine  for  children.  The  Little  Pil- 
grim was  the  first  magazine  for  children 

56 


piililiKliOil  ill  Aiiirrira. 

Tliose  aiiioiiK  ns  who  were  fortnmUe 
pnoiigh  to  buve  hud  it  [ilaoed  in  our  huiida 
in  childh(jo(i,  can  testify  to  the  liit;li  j^rade 
of  htcrutiire  it  represented.  Duriuij  her 
sojourn  in  Europe  Griue  Greenwood 
made  the  aciiuaintauce  of  the  best  writers 
of  the  period.  The  list  of  contributors 
to  the  monthly  puges  of  the  Little  Pil- 
criia  has  never  been  excelled  und  seldom 
equaled.  From  over  the  sea  we  find  the 
names  of  Martin  F.  Tiipper,  Mrs.  S.  C. 
Hall.  William  and  Mary  Howitt,  Charles 
Maekay.  editor  of  the  London  Illustrated 
News,  and  ^Fiss  Funio*-.  From  Anuriea, 
Nathaniel  Hawthorne,  John  G.  Whittier, 
Bayard  Taylor,  James  T.  Field.  Eliza  S. 
Sproat,  Julia  Ward  Howe,  Gail  Hamil- 
ton, Mrs.  L.  N.  Sigiurney  and  many 
others  whose  contributions  placed  the 
magazine  in  the  highest  rank  of  magazine 
iiteratm'e. 

Grace  Greenwood  was  a  regular  con- 
tributor. Her  first  work  wa.s  a  series  of 
beautiful  and  instructive  articles  on  the 
coiuUries  she  had  visited,  called  "Coun- 
tries I  Have  Seen."  With  her,  her 
readers  traveled  to  Ptratford-on-Avoii  and 
lived  for  a  time  in  Shakespeare's  country. 
They  visited  Newstead  Abbey  and  learn- 
f>d  the  story  of  Lord  Byron's  boyhood. 
They  examined  the  Tower  of  London  and 
shed  tears  over  the  fate  of  the  girl  Queen, 
Lade  Jane  Grey.  At  Warick  Castle  they 
were  told  the  story  of  Amy  Robsart.  They 
jfiiirneyed  to  Sherwood  Forest  and  found 
it  peopled  with  Itobiii  Hood  and  hi;i 
merry  men.  It  is  hard  to  describe  all  the 
delights  enjoyed  by  those  who  read  the 
Little  Pilgrim.  Its  coming  was  monthly 
anticipated  by  many  visits  to  Mr. 
Sheard's  store,  and  when  it  was  finally 
delivered  to  us,  the  pleasant  and  inler.-sted 
smile  of  Mr.  and  .Mrs  Sb- .r.l  ji.bl.'d  to 
57 


our  pleasure  in  receiving  it.  We  wish  to 
place  on  record  in  the  Historical  Society 
our  indebtedness  to  Grace  Greenwood, 
who  once  lived  among  us  and  began  her 
education  by  attending  Mrs.  Rose's  school, 
in  the  little  town  of  Frankford. 


About  1830,  Mrs.  Sarah  Murphy 
and  her  daughters  opened  a  school 
in  a  house  on  Frankford  avenue 
above  Unity  street.  The  site  of  the  house 
is  now  occupied  by  the  Reading  Railway. 
This  was  a  large,  prosperous  school.  In 
18-tl  it  was  made  into  a  salaried  school, 
Mrs.  Murphy  receiving  $200  a  year  for 
her  services.  Mrs.  Murphy  taught  sewing 
in  her  school. 

The  following  advertisements  have  been 
copied  from  old  numbers  of  the  Frank- 
foi'd  Herald. 

On  August  25,  1849,  Mrs.  Sarah  M. 
Murphy's  School,  which  was  held  in  her 
house,  on  Frankford  avenue  above  Unity 
street,  is  advertised  thus: 

Murphy's   School. 

The  duties  of  this  Institute  will  be  re- 
sumed on  2d  day  (Monday),  the  27th  inst., 
when  we  hope  by  energy  and  persever- 
ance to  receive  a  continuance  of  that 
patronage  which  our  friends  and  the  pub- 
lic have  for  so  long  a  period  so  liberally 
bestowed  upon  us. 
(Signed) 

Sarah  M.  Murphy  and  Daughters! 

The  Herald  for  July  30,  1853,  contains 
the  following  notice: 

A  Partnership  Notice. 

The  undersigned  having  entered  into  a 
copartnership,  will  continue  the  old- 
established  Select  School,  heretofore  kept 
by  S.  M.  Murphy  and  daughters,  as 
hitherto,  at  No.  158  Main  street,  Frank-- 
ford,  under  the  firm  of  L.  Murphy  and  E. 
S.  Eisenbrey,  and  hope  by  strict  personal 
attention  to  business  to  maintain  the  repu- 

58 


tation   of   (lie     school;     to  cnmm<»npe  on 
Flftli-day  (Thursday).  March  :?.  \So.i. 

1,1'litia  Murphy. 

Klizuboth  S.  Eisoiilirey, 
Mrs.  Murphy's  sister,  Miss  Mary 
J.  IIobiTts,  conducted  a  school  in 
FraukiorJ  about  the  sume  time,  and 
when  her  school  became  a  salaried  schoul 
she  received  $120  a  year  from  the  county 
treasury.  We  do  not  know  the  Itjcation 
of  her  school,  but  she  lived  in  a  house 
Birrrounded  by  a  hirge  garden  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Unity  and  Leiper  streets.  The  mills 
built  by  John  Clendenning  stand  ou  the 
site  of  the  garden  of  the  Roberts  property. 
The  house  is  still  standing  back  of  the 
mill  and  is  reached  by  a  lane  running  in 
from  Leiper  street.  When  the  Marshall 
School  was  opened.  Miss  Mary  a  Rob- 
erts taught  in  the  girls'  department. 


About  1830  Mrs.  Ann.n  J.  Km<ut,  a 
widow,  taught  a  school  in  a  house  which 
stood  on  an  alleyway  running  in  back 
of  the  property  of  Stanger  Bros.,  4o4ti- 
4348  Frankford  avenue.  The  alley  was 
formerly  known  as  Guernsey's  alley,  be- 
cause it  served  as  the  back  entrance  to 
the  property  of  Dr.  Henry  Guernsey, 
which  stood  where  the  building  of  the 
Frankford  Trust  Company  stands. 

Mrs.  Knorr'a  school  was  a  salaried  one 
in  1840. 

Between  1835  and  1842  Miss  Mary  A. 
Hai-per  taught  a  school  on  I'aul  street 
bolow  Green  street,  now  Womrath  street. 
The  school  house  is  still  standing  and  can 
be  seen  from  Orchard  street.  Miss  Har- 
per had  a  large  school.  Mrs.  Eliza  A. 
DuflSeld,  the  Misses  Murray.  Mrs.  Charles 
Morgan.  Mr.  Uarvey  Rowland,  Sr..  and 
a  number  of  the  old  residents  of  Frank- 
ford  attended  MisH  llan>er"s  school.  Sew- 
in"  was  taught  and  instruction  given  in 
making  what  we  call  faney  wyrk.     Some 

59 


of  her  old  pupils  have  in  their  possession 
beadwork  made  under  Miss  Harper's  di- 
rection when  they  attended  her  school. 

When  the  Marshall  School  was  opened 
in  1842  Miss  Hai'per  was  made  principal 
of  the  primary  department. 

Between  1835  and  1840  Parthena  and 
Zilpah  Roberts  taught  a  school  in  a 
small  frame  house  which  formerly  stood 
on  Frankford  arenue  opposite  Overing- 
ton  street.  Dr.  John  V.  Allen's  residence 
stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  house.  Miss 
Allen  relates  that  the  birch  rod  was  used 
in  this  school  to  accelerate  quickness  of 
perception  on  the  part  of  the  pupils.  Ac- 
cording to  Public  Records,  Zilpah  Roberts 
taught  the  colored  school  in  1840  and  the 
Friends'  school,  at  Oxford  and  Wain 
streets,  in  1841. 


Between  1835  and  1840  William  Strat- 
tou  taught  a  school  in  Appletree  court, 
which  stood  on  a  lane  running  north  from 
Unity  street  above  Wain  street. 


Between  1835  and  1841  William  Wood, 
who  became  principal  of  the  Marshall 
Boys'  School  in  1845,  taught  a  school  in  a 
house  at  the  corner  of  Paul  and  Unity 
streets.  The  house  was  removed  to  en- 
large the  grounds  of  the  Alexander  Henry 
School. 


About  1840  Alexander  Barnet,  a  gi'adu- 
ate  of  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle  Pa., 
taught  a  school  for  five  years  in  the 
building  now  known  as  Park  Hotel,  at 
the  junction  of  Frankford  avenue  and 
Kensington  avenue.  This  house  was 
originally  the  farm  house  of  the  estate  at 
Henry  Paul,  and  is  among  the  oldest 
houses  standing  in  Frankfoi'd.  Mr.  Bar- 
net  afterwards  taught  iu  the  Academy.  In 
1838  a  Miss  Sarah  Coleman  taught  a 
school  in  the  Lyceum  Building.  Beyond 
the  fact  that  she  taught  a  school  in  this 
place  no  information  concerning  it  has 
been  found. 

60 


Miss  Beulah  Newbold 


Miss   Newbold's   Home 


In  1840  Cliarlea  Lukens,  a  teacher  in  tlie 
Genuaiitowu  Academy,  iu  (.Jcraiaulowu, 
L'liuif  to  FranUlwrd  niul  opened  u  hoys' 
hoardinjc  and  day  sdinnl  in  Coloin'l  Rums' 
ri'sidi'iice,  whirh  stood  iit  tli>'  <'nriiiT  of 
I'rankrord  avt-nuc  ;ind  Kidge  street.  In 
ISMJ  Mr.  I. likens  removed  liis  sj-hool  to 
Port  Uoval.  :in  old  mansion  on  'I^icony 
road,  tiuilt  liefer, •  tji.-  IlevolutiniiMry  War 
liy  lOdwiird  Stites,  a  .sliippiiij,'  nienhaiit. 
Mr.  Lukens  L'arried  ou  bis  scLooi  until  the 
hreaking  out  of  the  citII  war.  Mr.  IiUk<>UK 
was  a  fine  leac-lier  and  his  school  was 
held  in  lii;;h  esteem. 


About  ISW)  llie  Mi«se.s  Newhold,  <laugh- 
lers  of  Michael  Newhold,  taiiffht  a  select 
hoarding  and  day  sehool  for  girls  at  their 
home  nil  Wheat  Sheaf  lane.  Many  fasii- 
ionable  young  ladies  of  Philadelphia  were 
pdncnted  at  this  sehool.  A  picture  of  the 
doorway  of  the  Newhold  House  adorns 
the  title  page  of  Miss  Anna  Wharton's 
book,  "Colonial  Doorways  of  America." 


In  1840  a  Charity  Wyatt  taught  a 
school  in  Frankford  and  received  iJGO.nii 
for  instructing  poor  children.  In  1841  her 
school  was  made  a  salaried  school  and 
she  received  $120  for  hrr  services.  The 
whereabouts  of  her  school  is  unknown. 


From  1840  to  1845  Mrs.  or  Miss  Clark, 
simietimes  spoken  of  as  Amanda  t'lark 
and  sometimes  as  I'arthena  Clark,  taught 
a  school  for  young  children  in  the  old 
Worrell  house,  now  the  home  of  Miss 
Sarah  C.  Leake.  Miss  Elizabeth  B. 
Sliall-Toss.  who  attended  the  school, 
states  it  was  held  for  a  time  in  the  front 
room  of  the  house,  but  aflerwar«l  re- 
moved to  the  frame  building  in  the  lano 
adjoining  the  stone  house. 

It  was  customary  for  children  in  this 
school  to  carry  their  chairs  with  them. 
Miss  Shallcross  recalls  that  Mrs.  Clark 
wore  a  white  cap  and     sat  in  a  locking- 

til 


chair,  with  a  long  stool  on  the  floor  for 
her  feet,  while  teaching.  Naughty  chil- 
dren were  punished  by  being  made  to  sit 
on  the  stool  facing  Mrs.  Clark,  who  placed 
one  of  her  feet  on  each  side  of  the  culprit, 
who  was  thus  protected  from  the  desire 
to  yield  to  the  temptation  to  retire  without 
permission. 

Principles  of  honesty  and  justice  were 
taught  by  Mrs.  Clark,  as  well  as  reading, 
writing  or  arithmetic.  A  large  apricot 
tree  which  stood  in  the  lane  alfurded  op- 
portunities for  the  practice  of  these  virtu- 
ous principles.  A  child  finding  an  apricot 
brought  it  at  once  to  Mrs.  Clark,  who 
handed  it  to  Mrsv  Dujigan,  the  owner  of 
the  house.  As  sottu  as  the  child  was  old 
enough  to  be  taught  grammar  it  retired 
from  this  sehooL 

Among  the  children  who  attended  this 
school  were  the  Womrath  brothers,  Caleb 
Morris,  the  Engli'sh  children,  Elizabeth 
and  Maria  Shallcross,  the  grandchildren 
of  Dr.  John  F.  Lamb,  Hamlin,  Lamb  and 
Susan  Wilcox,  and  many  others  whose 
names  are  faiAiliar  to  us.  Lamb  Wilcox 
was  killed  diiriiig  the  civil  war  on  the 
porch  of  his  father's  house  in  Virginia, 
while  defeniiiiig  it  against  Northern  in- 
vaders, some  of  whom  had  been  his  school- 
mates in  childhood. 


About  3843  Ezra  Shallcross  taught  a 
school  on  the  west  side  of  Frankford  ave- 

r  1- 

nue  below  Kuan  street.  A  school  was 
taught  latef  in  in  the  same  place  by  Miss 
Catherine  Farr. 

In  1843  Miss  Ann  Seavy  taught  b 
school  in  the  house  on  Guernsey's  lane, 
and  fi'om  1848  to  1857  Rev.  Joseph  Col- 
burn  taught  here.  Mr.  Colburn  and  Miss 
Seavy  were  Swedenborgians,  who  came 
to  Frankford  from  New  England  with  the 
family  of  Dr.  Henry  Guernsey.  A  Mr. 
Bills  taught  a  school  in  this  house  about 

62 


1S45,  liiit  uflcrwards  removed  to  the 
houHf  viif!it«'tl  liy  Mi-s.  Kdiuuud.s  and  lator 
oil  lo  llie  Di'i-utur  inaiisio|i,  on  ruwdt-r 
Mill  lane.  His  srliool  -was  tonaidered  a 
liue  girls'  scbuol. 


The  l-'raukford  Herald  for  February  4, 
lSr>4,  fontaiiis  tlie  f<»llo\viiig  uutice: 

Fniiikford  Friuaie  Inslitult>. 
"1  had  llu-  pleasure  of  atteudiuK  tin- 
semi-anuual  exainiuutiou  of  thit)  flourish- 
iiij;  institution  situated  on  Paul  street 
near  Main,  in  mir  liornngh,  on  l''rid;iy 
last. 

"TUe  priuoipal,  .Mrs.  Boiinell,  is  pre- 
eminently  oaleulaled  lor  the  ont-roua  yet 
inieresting  task  of  .supervising  and  pro- 
viding for  thosi'  entrusted  to  her  charge. 
Tiie  program  of  studies  is  composed  of 
two  departments— the  priunuy  and 
academic— the  lirst  embracing  the  mere 
elementary  branches,  the,  second  compris- 
ini;  those  of  the  highest  and  most  import- 
ant in  our  country.  The  principal  has  the 
valuable  assiistance  of  I'rofessor  Miller, 
who  is  teacher  of  mathematics  and  nat- 
ural and  mort\i  science. 

"The  e.vamination  occupied  tlie  entire 
day  and  evening,  and  was  attended  by  a 
large  and  delighted  audience  composed  of 
the  parents  of  the  scholai-s  and  other  in- 
vited guests.  The  exercises  were  admir- 
ably performed,  and  the  original  composi- 
tions .-iiid  niusieal  perfuiunances  were  of 
the  highest  order.  The  whole  was,  in- 
deed, an  intellectual  feast. 

"Mrs.  Bonnell  may  feel  justly  proud  of 
her  success,  as  her  institute  may  be  rank- 
ed among  the  highest  in  our  State  for 
advantages  of  talent  and  skill  in  afford- 
ing in.struction  as  in  the  eligibility  and 
convenience  of  its  location.  1  heartily 
wish  her  continnrd  and  increased  success 
in  her  highly  laudable  undertaking.    The 

63 


moral  regulations  of  the  school,  the  oppor- 
tunity for  young  ladies  to  acquire  a 
superior  education  in  connection  with  the 
high  character  of  the  gentlemen  who  are 
given  as  references  and  the  moderate 
terms  of  tuition,  make  it  as  desirahle  as 

it  is  excellent." 

DELTA. 

This  notice  of  the  Female  Institute  de- 
scribes the  Girls'  Boarding  and  Day 
School,  taught  for  many  years  in  Frank- 
ford  by  Mrs.  Bonnell. 

Mrs.  Bonnell  afterward  occupied  both 
houses  of  Dr.  Lamb  on  Frankford  avenue 
above  Church  St.  Sometimes  the  school 
was  held  in  the  lower  house,  afterward 
known  as  the  Stevenson  property,  43C)(> 
Frankford  avenue,  and  sometimes  in  the 
house  of  the  late  Richardson  L.  Wright, 
4o08  Frankford  avenue. 

Mrs.  Bonnell  prepared  girls  tor  the  en- 
trance examination  for  admission  to  the 
Girls'   High    School. 

The   Bonnell   School. 

An  advertisement  in  the  Frankford 
Herald  for  August  25th,  1849,  recently 
found,  gives  us  further  information  con- 
cerning the  establishment  of  the  Bonnell 
School,  called  the  Frankford  Female 
Institute.  The  school  was  originally  the 
school  of  a  Presbyterian  minister,  Eev. 
W.  Wilson  Bonnell. 

The  advertisements  in  the  Frankford 
Herald  for  April  and  July,  1854.  show 
that  Mr.  Bonnell  had  died  and  that  the 
school  continued  to  be  carried  on  by  Mrs. 
Bonnell. 

Frankford  Herald,  August  25,  1849. 
Bonnell  School. 

Frankford  Female  Institute,  Rev.  W. 
Wilson  Bonnell,  A.  M.,  Principal. 

The  design  of  this  Institution  is  to  af- 
ford the  pupils  entrusted  to  the  care  of 
the  subscriber  a  good  and  substantial  Eng- 

61 


lish  eilucalioii,  tOKollier  with  sucb  studios 
ill  the  classics  and  orinmnntiil  liraiiclips 
as  will  (jiiulify  tlu'  pupil  fur  an  iMcvalt'd 
position  in  socii'ty.  Tin-  udvatita;;<'s  and 
iniproveiueuts  which  have  latterly  been 
introduced  into  our  systems  <if  feunilo 
eiiucatiiin  will  lie  adopted,  and  those  em- 
ployed as  assistants  will  be  of  such  char- 
acter and  standing  as  to  be  Ki'iiranty  t<» 
the  patrons  of  the  Institute  that  tlieir 
conlidence  has  not  been  misplaieil. 

There  will  he  a  priniiny  department 
connected  with  the  school,  in  which  the 
usual  elementary  instruction  will  be 
•;iven.  Particular  attention  will  be  paid 
to  this  branch  ol'  instruction,  so  that  all 
subsequent  studies  will  be  prof^rfssive  iiud 
accomplished  with  comparative  ease.  I'en- 
mausbip  and  its  conueetlou  with  drawiug 
will  be  carefully  attended  to,  so  that  the 
use  of  the  pen  will  be  a  pleasure  in  com- 
position. Vocal  music  will  be  introduced 
not  only  as  a  science,  but  as  a  healthful 
and  moral  exercise,  for  the  cultivation  of 
the  noblest  feelings  of  our  nature. 

The  Sacred  Scriptures  will  be  a  text- 
book in  all  the  classes,  and  no  exertions 
spared  to  inspire  a  love  for  sacred  truths. 
The  government  of  the  school  will  be 
strictly  iiareutal,  the  boarding  scholars 
forming  a  part  of  the  family  of  the  prin- 
cipal. 

The  heallhfulness  of  Frankford,  the  lo- 
cation of  the  Institute,  in  the  large  and 
commodious  building  immediately  opposite 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  facility  of 
access  to  the  city,  when  taken  in  connec- 
tion with  the  general  morality,  and  love 
of  order  displayed  by  the  inhabitants, 
render  this  one  of  the  most  desirable  re- 
treats to  whiih  iiarents  could  wish  to  com- 
mit tlii'ir  daughters. 

The    course   of    instniction    will    be    as 
thorough  as  any  similar  establishment  and 
65 


tlie  terms  quite  as  moderate. 

Circulars,   giving  full  particulars,   may 
be  had  of  Charles  Murphy. 
Herald  Office,  of  Dr.  Lamb  or  Dr.  Leake. 
W.  Wilson  Bonnell. 

Terms:  Boarding  and  tuition,  including 
washing,  .$G5  per  session. 

Day  scholars:  Primary  Department. 
$10;  Junior  Class,  of  Academic  Deparl- 
ment,  $12.50;  Middle  Class,  $14;  Senior 
Class,  $16. 

References:  Philadelphia,  Rev.  Dr. 
Cuyler,  Rev.  Dr.  Lord,  Rev.  Dr.  William 
A.  McDowell,  Rev.  W.  Ramsey,  lion. 
Judge  Jones,  late  president  of  Girard 
College;  INIr.  Newkirk,  Esq.,  James  Rus- 
sell, Esq.,  cashier  of  Penn  Township 
Bank;  Mr.  James  Dunlap. 

Frankfovd — Dr.  Lamb,  Dr.  Leake. 

Pottsville.  Pa.— Mr.  D.  Kirkwood,  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  in  Pottsville 
Academy. 


Frankford  Herald,  July  15,  1854. 
(Written  for  Frankford  Herald.) 
The  semi-annual  examination  of  this  ex- 
cellent institution  took  place  at  the  close 
of  the  lerni  last  week,  and  was  witnessed 
during  the  evcuing  by  a  large  number  of 
the  friends  of  the  pupils  and  others.  It 
gave  very  general  satisfaction.  The  ex- 
ercises through  which  the  young  ladies 
were  carried  indicated  very  considerable 
industry  and  respectable  talent  in  many 
and  the  most  careful  Irainitig  in  all.  The 
musical  department  gave  great  credit  to 
the  lady  and  gentleman  to  whom  the  vocal 
and  instrumental  classes  in  that  necessaiy 
branch  of  female  education  had  been  con- 
fided. Much  attention  seemed  to  have 
been  paid  to  the  admirable  art  of  reading 
aloud,  and  a  number  of  the  young  ladies 
acquitted  themselves  in  a  manner  exceed- 
ingly praiseworthy.    The     faults     which 

G6 


cliaractorizo  (ho  porforniaiu-os  of  youtli 
wi'iv.  of  roiirsc,  not  ahseiil  from  tlie  oii- 
(Icavors  of  pirls  of  12  or  14,  Iml  (lie  inii- 
lalioii  wliicli  was-:  porccptihlo  was  the  imi- 
tation of  jji>«"l  moilels,  ami  lliis  is  moro 
creditablo  to  tlie  tcaclu'r,  if  mort>  ori^riiial- 
ity  would  liave  bnmKlit  moro  prnisc'  to  tlio 
pupils.  No  little  iiivfiition  niul  imaeinu- 
lii>n  wore  ohsi-rvalile  in  the  cunipositions. 
wliicli  were  <piiti'  nnmerons,  and  v:'''i''rally 
deservin;:  of  mmk  li  praise.  Above  all,  the 
development  of  the  afleotions  was  wit- 
nessed in  these  productions,  nnd  that  is  a 
hiirh  praise.  As  w;is  observed  there,  it  is 
the  training  of  the  heart  which  is  ehielly 
valuable  at  tlie  present  day,  when  the 
trreat  nish  is  after  head  knowledge.  This, 
T,-hich  can  alone  qualify  woman  for  her 
true  position  in  society  as  a  wife  and 
mother,  can  only  be  given  i)rop('rly  by  a 
woman.  In  this  lies  the  .superiority  of 
Mrs.  Bonnell's  school  over  many  similar 
institutions.  While  the  careful  and  well- 
einiipped  masters  and  the  whole  arrange- 
ments of  the  school  guarantee  to  the 
pupils  the  fullest  instruction  in  all  the 
liranches  of  required  knowledge,  the  rul- 
ing hand  of  n  lady  is  seen  in  the  play  of 
the  imagination  and  the  cultivation  of  the 
feelings  which  are  as  neces.sary  to  a  true 
wrmian  as  the  blue  of  the  sky.  the  fresh- 
ness of  the  air.  or  the  brightness  of  the 
tlowers  is  necessary  to  the  f.'ice  of  ihu 
landscape.  The  people  of  the  vicinity 
who  do  not  avail  themselves  of  the  oppor- 
tunity afforded  by  the  i)resence  of  this 
Institute  among  them  make  a  mistake 
which  is  to  be  lamented,  as  well  for  the 
s.'ike  of  their  daughters  as  for  the  sake 
of  Frankford  itself,  whose  convenience  as 
a  place  of  residence  is  greatly  increased 
by  the  successful  growth  of  such  a  school 
to  all  visitors,  and  especially  to  :ill  famil- 
ies who  think  of  it  as  a  place  of  resi- 
dence. (Signed)  X. 
G7 


When  the  Friends'  School  on  Ox- 
ford street,  was  taken  down  in  the 
year  1854,  Henrietta  Rose  was  the 
teacher.  She  then  opened  a  school  in  a 
frame  building  on  Paul  street  below 
Unity,  and  taught  hero  until  she  sold  out 
to  Elizazeth  Comly.  Elizabeth  Comly  wa>5 
the  granddaughter  of  General  Isaac  Wor- 
rell. Our  valued  townsman.  Mr.  John 
Walton,  attended  Miss  Condy's  school 
iroui   ISl'il  to  186.").  when  it  disbauded. 


Between  185.^  and  IStj.")  Mrs.  Susan 
Knight,  widow  of  Walter  Knight,  taught 
a  large  school  for  boys  and  girls  in  liei- 
house  on  Oxford  street,  which  stood  on 
the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  William 
K.  Axe  School.  Three  rooms  of  the  house 
were  used  by  the  scliool. 


Miss  Bennett's  School. 

Frankford  Herald  for  November  2,  1850. 

New  School. 

Miss  A.  M.  Bennett  will  open  her  school 
for  young  misses  on  Monday,  October  21, 
1850,  in  the  second-story  room  of  the  cor- 
ner building  in  Remain  Block,  where  she 
will  be  happy  to  receive  applicatious,  ex- 
plain the  terms  of  tuition  and  course  of 
studies  at  any  time  during  school  hours, 
or  after  5  o'clock  P.  M.,  at  Mr.  Search's, 
No.  146  Main  street. 

A.  M.  Bennett. 

Who  Miss  Bennett  was,  or  how  long  her 
school  was  carried  on,  we  have  no  means 
of  knowing. 


Prom  Frankford  Herald  for  Nov.  2,  18.50. 
Select  Evening  School  for  Ladies. 

William  E.  Cheston,  Principal  of  the 
Randolph  Grammar  School,  announces 
that  the  duties  of  his  evening  school  will 
be  resumed  October  1  at  his  residence  in 
Sellers  street,  above  Leiper  street.  The 
following  named  studies  will  be  attended 

68 


(o  ilnring  tlip  onsiiiiig  tortn,  viz.:  I'cu- 
niansliip,  Gniiiiiimr,  Arithmetic,  Algobra 
iiud  Mensuriitiuii.  Sjieciul  attftitiori  will 
be  ilcvototl  to  any  who  are  t'ii(ijn>;Pil  i" 
teachiii;:.  or  who  may  be  prcpariiixc  to 
teach.  I'rice  of  tuition  per  session  of  111 
weeks,  including  stationery,  $5. 


March  13,  tS52,  Frankford  Herald. 
Writing  School. 

Edward  Borie,  teacher  of  plain,  practi- 
cal, uriiiimcntal  penmanship,  respectfully 
informs  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of 
Frankford  that  he  has  commenced  a 
school  at  SS  Main  street,  opposite  the 
post  office. 

Terms— Two  dollars  for  sixteen  les.sons, 
including  stationery.  For  a  course  of 
tliree  months  in  ornHniental  writing,  ."fO; 
stationery  extra.  Hours:  From  2  to  1)  P. 
M.  Every  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Satur- 
day afternoons  and  evenings  for  female* 
Males,  every  Monday,  Wednesday  and 
Friday  afternoons  and  evening.  Boys, 
every  aflirnuon   and  evening. 

X.  B.— Males  and  females  can  attend 
the  schiiol  any  of  these  days  set  for  them 
that  best  suit  their  convenience. 


The  Frankford  Herald  of  December  3, 
18.')3;  Jan.  21,  18.".4.  and  Feb.  11.  1854, 
contains  the  following  advertisement: 

Mr.     Colburn's     School— Franklin     Hall, 
Frankford. 
Terms  per  session  of  22  weeks: 

Elementary  English  Department $1<> 

Higher    English    Department 1"> 

Classical    mikI    Higher  Mathematical 

Department    -5 

French,  German  and   Drawing,  extras, 

at  the  usual  rates. 
All  payments  in  advance.    Apply  at  Dr. 

Henry  W.  Guernsey's. 

69 


The  Frankford  Ilorald  for  July  2!),  1S54, 
advertises  the  North  Philadelphia  Col- 
legiate School  as  follows: 

The  second  session  of  this  school  has 
comineuced.  At  present  pupils  are  re- 
ceived at  any  time  during  the  session  and 
liroper  reduction  made. 

Josliua  C.   Culburu. 


Orthodox  Friends'  School. 

In  1854  the  Fi-iends'  Schoolhouse,  built 
with  the  funds  obtained  through  the  sale 
of  the  Spring  House  School,  on  the  prop- 
erty of  the  old  Meeting,  at  Unity  and 
Wain  Streets,  was  removed.  The 
schoolhouse  stood  on  the  Oxford  street 
end  of  the  property.  Oxford  street  had 
been  opened  through  to  the  creek,  and  the 
schoolhouse  was  iu  the  way.  The  minutes 
of  the  meeting  of  the  Borough  Council, 
held  January  31,  1854,  state  that,  "the 
committee  on  nuisance  reported  attention 
to  duties."  and.  "that  at  a  seasonable 
period,  the  Friends'  Schoolhouse  would  lie 
removed."'  Some  time  after  the  closing  of 
this  school  a  school  was  opened  in  the 
Orthodox  Meeting  House,  at  the  corner 
(if  Orthodox  and  Penn  streets.  A  portion 
of  the  second  story  was  htted  up  as  a 
school  room. 

Miss  Beulah  Reeve,  with  an  assistant 
known  as  Miss  Eliza,  were  the  tirst  teach- 
ers of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge. 

Beulah  Reeve  had  come  in  contact  with 
Friends  who  had  visited  Europe,  and  re- 
ceived instruction  from  Pestalozzi,  the 
famous  German  teacher,  the  pi-edecessor 
of  Froebel,  whose  methods  of  instruction 
have  been  so  successfully  introduced  into 
our  modern  school  system.  Miss  Beidah 
Reeve  used  Pestalozzi's  methods  iu  in- 
structing children  at  that  early  date  iu 
Frankford.  The  school  was  furnished 
70 


\vitli  >,'1kI>i's  iiiiil  pii'liircs.  Tlie  cliiMrfii 
wore  taken  fi)r  oiitdnor  wnlks.  GeoKriipli.r 
wns  t;iii>;lit  ill  the  fields;  tlowers  wcr'- 
gallicrt'd  iiiid  tlii'ir  stnicturf  cNplniiifd, 
and  ohjccts  i>f  i.iitural  histurv  were  i)ri'- 
served  for  school  room  work.  Afi.r  a 
niunlior  of  years  of  sueoeasful  teacliinn  ill 
health  eonipi'llod  Miss  Rerves  to  relin- 
quish the  school.  AnioiiK  her  pupils  we 
lincl  the  names  «if  Kichardaon  L.  Wriglit 
Jr.,  and  the  lion.  John  T..  Kinscy, 
Jiidfje  of  the  Court  of  Common  riciis  of 
IMiiladelphia. 

Miss  Reeves  was  succeeded  by  Miss 
Elizabeth  A.  Thompson.  The  jtiipils  of 
ihe  school  under  Miss  Thompson's  cure 
belonged  to  the  families  of  Websters, 
Smedley.s,  Hilles,  Walmsleys,  Kinseys  and 
the  dauj^hlers  of  Richardson  L.  Wripht, 
Albert  H.  and  Geor-e  S.  Webster,  Albert 
L.,  W.  Percy,  and  Edward  Hilles,  Frank- 
lin and  W.  Henry  Smedley,  ^lary  Web- 
ster, Mary  Smedley,  Florence  Walmsley. 
Phoebe  Kinsey,  ^lary  and  Eleanor  Eliza- 
beih  Wright,  all  be«an  their  scholastic 
training  and  laid  the  foundation  of  thi-ir 
lifter  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  reading, 
writing  iind  arithmetic,  of  literature, 
geography,  history,  morals  and  manners, 
in  Miss  Thompson's  school,  nmler  the 
care  of  the  Orthodo-\  Friemls'  Meeting, 
iliss  Thomp.son.  "or  teacher,"  as  we 
called  her,  was  a  good  teacher  and  a 
gentle,  kind  woman.  She  had  soft  brown 
hair  and  eyes.  When  rules  were  trans- 
gressed she  looked  as  grieved  as  one's  own 
mother  did  under  similar  circumstances. 
Her  old  pupils  all  retain  an  affectionate 
memory  of  the  days  they  spent  with  her. 

She  preserved  order  by  compelling 
naughty  and  talkative  children  to  stand 
on  a  bench  until  he  or  she  discovered  some 
.ither  child  disobeying  niles  in  like  man- 
ner.   The    criminals    were    then      relieved 

71 


from  vigilance  duty  and  restored  to  favor 
and  the  other  culprits  mounted  the  bench. 

The  school  attended  meeting  on  Fifth- 
day  morning.  The  girls  all  sat  with  Miss 
Thompson  on  the  woman's  side  of  the 
Meeting.  After  their  hats  had  been  re- 
moved and  placed  upon  the  floor  they 
were  samples  of  good  behavior.  Girls' 
hats  in  those  days  had  wide  brims  and 
were  provided  with  a  long  ribbon  hanging 
over  the  front,  called  a  bridle;  so  named 
because  they  were  used  to  guide  the  brim 
of  the  hat  to  keep  the  sun  from  striking 
the  eyes,  as  bridles  are  used  to  guide 
horses  along  the  direct  road.  The  sun 
was  not  troublesome  in  meeting,  but  the 
teacher  thought  it  prudent  to  remove  the 
hats  as  soon  as  meeting  settled,  to  avoid 
temptation. 

I  do  not  know  who  presided  over  the 
boys  during  meeting.  There  was  probably 
no  difficulty  in  preserving  order  among 
them.  They  had  fewer  temptations  and 
were  more  staid  in  their  minds.  On  Fifth- 
day  afternoon  the  boys  and  girls  spoke 
pieces  and  the  parents  came  to  listen  to 
the  accomplishments  of  their  children. 
Such  selections  were  recited  as  Mary 
Howett's  "Buttercups  and  Daisies,  oh, 
the  Pretty  Flowers;"  Jane  Taylor's 
"Down  In  a  Green  and  Shady  Dell  a 
Modest  Violet  Grew;"  Wordsworth's 
"Lucy  Grey"  and  "We  Are  Seven."  A 
piece  beginning  (of  which  the  author  is 
unknown) . 

"What  is  that  mother— a  lark,  my  child; 
What  is  that  mother— a  dove,  my  sou; 
What  is  that  mother— au  eagle,  my  boy." 

We  also  repeated,  "O  Woodman,  Spare 
That  Tree"  and  the  "Old  Oaken  Bucket;" 
also  one  beginning— 
"Once  there  was  a  little  boy,  with  curly 

head  and  pleasant  eyes, 
A  boy   who  always   told   the  truth,   and 
never,  never  told  a  lie." 

72 


Also  Olio  inoulontiiig  lessons  against   vf:tr 
and  fislitiiig,  whii-h  begun— 

"FutLer,  I've  seeu  the  voluuteers, 
Dressed  out  in  red  and  blue." 

'I'liis  piece  was  n  ^vvul  favorite,  ami  was 
always  spokeu  by  a  boy. 

In  the  course  of  time  Miss  Thompson 
married  a  Mr.  Hutton.  She  13  still  liv- 
ing, ns  much  beloved  by  her  friends  In 
luT  later  yoar.s,  as  she  wa.s  by  the  chiUlrcn 
Mhe  taught  so  long  ago.  After  Miss 
Thompson  retired  the  school  was  dis- 
continued for  a  while.  Miss  Klizabelh 
N.  Hoopes  was  then  appointed  the 
teacher.  She  was  succeeded  by  Lydia 
Kite,  and  the  following  teachers  in  the 
order  they  are  named:  Mary  E.  Brown, 
Sarah  Button,  Mary  Dulton,  Alice  Letch- 
worth,  Caroline  and  Alice  Smedley,  and 
at  the  present  time  by  Caroline  Smedley, 
the  great-granddaughter  of  Benjamin 
Kite,  the  first  teacher  of  the  Spring 
House  School. 

Some  years  a>,'o  a  brick  school-house 
was  erected,  and  on  the  remodelling  of 
ll."  meeting-house  the  old  schoolroom  in 
the  second  story  became  a  thing  of  the 
past.  The  brick  building  stands  in  tl<e 
corner  of  the  yard  adjoining  the  horse 
sheds.  Here  the  old  boys  and  girls  play- 
ed "chase  the  pony"  and  other  athletic 
games  which  at  that  time  provided  the 
exercise  for  growing  cliildrcn,  now  ob- 
tained through  physical  culture  training 
classes,  and  golf  and  tennis. 

M  the  present  time  this  Orthodox 
Meeting  School  is  the  only  regularly  es- 
tablished private  school  in  Frankford.  as 
VNell  as  the  oldest  in  point  of  age,  having 
been  iu  existence  over  fifty  years. 
73 


From  Prankford   Herald,   May   3,    185G. 
YouDg  Ladies'  Seminary. 

We  would  remind  our  citizens  who  have 
young  ladies  to  place  in  a  private  school 
that  a  Young  Ladies'  Seminary  has  re- 
cently been  started  at  the  Academy  in 
Paul  street.  The  principal  is  a  Miss 
Work,  of  Pottstown,  a  very  estimable 
young  lady,  who  conies  among  us  beai^ 
ing  the  highest  recommendation  as  a 
teacher.  We  cordially  recommend  her 
case  to  your  serious  consideration. 


St.  Mark's  Parish  School. 

In  1857  a  parish  school,  under  the  care 
of  St.  Mark's  Church,  was  opened  in  the 
infant  school  room  in  the  basement  of 
the  church.  It  was  taught  for  twenty-five 
years  by  Miss  BHzabeth  Club.  Miss  Club 
was  a  good  teacher  and  thoroughly  con- 
scientious in  caring  for  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  children  entrusted  to  her.  For 
many  years  the  school  had  an  average 
attendance  of  from  thirty  to  fifty  chil- 
dren. Besides  the  usual  English  branches 
the  children  were  carefully  trained  in  the 
Church  Catechism .  Dr.  Miller  states  that 
it  was  a  most  important  aid  to  the  par- 
ish work  of  St.  Mark's.  The  children 
paid  ten  cents  a  week  for  tuition. 


Allengrove  Seminary. 

In  1858  Allengrove  Seminary,  a  fine 
girls'  boarding  and  day  school,  was 
taught  by  Mrs.  L.  Thompson  in  a  build- 
ing which  stood  on  the  grounds  of  Allen- 
grove Mansion,  the  old  colonial  house  at 
Frankford  avenue  and  Wakeliug  street, 
74 


now  the  lioiiio  of  llio  Misses  Thompson. 
A  copy  of  tlie  Fiankford  llorald  for 
April  2,  lSr>!),  conlaiiis  the  following  ad- 
vertisiMueiit: 

"Allengrovc  Hoardini;  and  Day  School 
for  Young  Ladies,  Kraiikford,  renusji- 
vaiiia.  six  niil"s  from  ^larket  street, 
IMiil.idelphia,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Mrs.  E.  L.  Thompson,  assisted  by  com- 
petent teachers.  The  course  of  instruc- 
tion will  he  a  thorough  English  educati<jn, 
and  professors  of  known  talent  will  he 
attached  tn  the  insiitution.  Orthography, 
writing  and  C()nipi)sition  and  elocution  will 
be  thoroughly  taught,  and  practical  ut- 
teiition  will  be  given  to  the  modem  lan- 
guages, music,  painting,  drawing  and  em- 
broidery. 

"The  location  is  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  desirable  in  the  country.  The 
healthfulness  of  the  place  and  school  Is 
one  of  its  strongest  recommendations. 
The  grounds  extend  to  nearly  eight  acres, 
affording  ample  scope  for  the  young  ladies 
to  walk  during  hours  of  recreation  and  to 
engage  in  those  exercises  in  the  open  air 
■which  are  so  conducive  to  health.  Calis- 
thenics, which  is  a  system  of  bodily  ex- 
ercise adapted  to  promote  health  and 
graceful  motion,  is  taught  as  part  of  the 
course,  and  parents  may  rest  assured  that 
the  health  of  those  placed  at  this  insti- 
tution will  be  watched  with  evei-y  atten- 
tion. 

"Each  pupil  will  be  taken  to  the  church 
her  parents  may  desire.  No  calls  or  visitg 
on  the  Sabbath.  The  Scholastic  Tear 
will  consist  of  ten  months,  and  be  divided 
into  two  sessions,  the  Winter  Session 
commencing  on  the  1st  of  November;  the 
Summer  Session  on  the  1st  of  May. 
Vacations  the  months  of  April  and  Octo- 
ber. 

"The   Summer   Session    will   commence 

75 


on  Monday,  May  2d. 

"Books    furnished    at    the   store   prices. 

"For  terms  and  otiier  particulars,  ap- 
ply to  the  principal. 

"References — 

"Rev.  Thomas  Murphy,  Frankford. 

"Rev.  D.  S.   Miller,  Frankford. 

"Rev.  James  Scott,  Holmesburg. 

"Rev.  R.  Steel,  D.  D.,  Abington. 

"Rev.  J.  J.  A.  Morgan,  Bridesburg. 

"Hon.  J.  G.  Sutherland,  Philadelphia. 

"Hon.  William  Bigler,  Pennsylvania. 

"Hon.  James  R.  Ludlow,  Philadelphia. 

"Hon.  N.  B.  Brown. 

"Hon.  J.  S.  Yost,  Pottstown,  Penna. 

"William  F.  Guernsey,  M.  D.,  Frank- 
ford. 

"Charles  M.  Prevost,  Esq.,  Philadel- 
phia. 

"Barton  H.  Jenks,  Esq.,  Bridesburg. 

"Lewis  Thompson,  Esq.,  near  Frank- 
ford. 

"George  W.  Biddle,  Esq.,  Philadelphia. 

"Hon.  Henry  M.  Phillips,  Philadelphia. 

"Henry  M.  Guernsey,  M.  D. 

"John  Shallcross,  Esq.,  Frankford. 

"Joshua  S.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Swedes- 
boro,  N.  J. 

"Hon.  T.  P.  Carpenter,  New  Jersey. 

"James  Thompson,  Esq.,  Augusta,  Me. 

"Hon.  Owen  Jones,  Pennsylvania. 

"Rev.  A.  O.  Halsey,  Richborough,  Pa. 

"Thomas  Milnor,  Esq.,  Burlington,  N.  J. 

"Charles  Garrison,  M.  D.,  Swedesboro, 
N.  J. 

"L.  F.  Halsey,  M.  D, 

"E.  F.  Patterson,  Esq.,  Trenton,  N.  J. 

"Rev.   F.  D.   Harris,  Bristol,   Pa." 

The  editor  of  the  Frankford  Herald  re- 
grets that  he  was  not  able  to  be  present 
at  the  closing  exercises  of  this  school, 
but  reminds  his  hearers  that  the  Summer 
Sessions  will  begin  March  2d. 

An   interesting   fact   is  brought   to  our 
76 


notk'e  by  thuj  uiiuuiiiicenu'nt.  Children 
used  to  go  to  school  all  summer.  The 
Vttcatious  of  AlleiiKrove  Semiimry  were 
the  months  of  April  and  Oftober. 

From  llie  FrjiiiklOrd  llenild  of  May 
7,  lSr>t),  we  learn  that  Mrs.  Thompson 
established  a  special  French  Department, 
and  had  eriRaged  a  teacher  of  high  stand- 
ing, recommended  by  many  distinguished 
gentlemen.  Mrs.  Tliompson  offers  to 
form  classes  or  instruction  in  P>ench  for 
ladies  and  children  outside  of  the  school. 

"The  French  Language— Ladies  and 
Misses  who  may  desire  to  obtain  a  thor- 
ough knowledge  of  this  beautiful  and  use- 
ful language  may  now  have  an  opportu- 
nity to  do  so  by  applying  to  Mrs.  E.  L. 
Thompson,  Allengrove,  she  having  engag- 
ed an  experienced  teacher,  Professor  Mas- 
si,  to  take  charge  of  the  French  Depart- 
ment in  her  school.  For  Professor  Mas- 
si's  character  as  a  gentleman  and  his  su- 
perior nualififatious  to  teach  the  French 
language  and  literature,  it  affords  Mrs. 
Thompson  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to 
refer  to  the  following  distinguished  gen- 
tlemen— 

"Rev.  M.  A.  De  Wolf  Howe,  D.  D. 

"Rev.  William  Bacon  Stevens,  D.  D. 

"Prof.  N.  Coffee,  University  of  Pa. 

"Prof.  C.   D.  Cleveland,  Philadelphia. 

"Rev.  E.  H.  Gressy,  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

"Hon.  William  N.  Seward,  New  York. 

"Hon.  L  Toucey,  Secretary  of  Navy, 
Washington. 

"Rev.  George  D.  Cummins. 

"Rev.  Smith  Pyne. 

"P.  R..  Fendall,  Esq. 

"Rev.  A.  Cleveland  Coxe,  Baltimore. 

"Right  Rev.  T.  C.  Brownell,  Hartford, 
Conn. 

"Hon.  T.  A.  Greene,  New  Bedford, 
Massachusetts. 

"Rev.  Charles  Lowe. 
77 


"Rev.  Charles  H.  Brigliam,  Taunton, 
Mass. 

"Rev.  T.  W.  Snow. 

"George  B.  Emerson,  Esq.,  Boston. 

"Epes  Sargent,  Esq.,  Boston. 

"Richard  H.  Dana,  Esq.,  Boston." 

Prof&ssor  Massi  must  have  been  a  su- 
perior teacher,  for  the  list  of  names  giv- 
en as  his  references  enumerates  three  par- 
ens who  became  distinguished  Bishops 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  other  emi. 

nent  men  in  high  standing  in  our  coun- 
try. 

For  some  years  Mrs.  Thompson's  school 
was  very  successful.  She  employed 
three  resident  teachers  besides  special 
teachers  who  visited  the  school  for  in- 
struction  in   special   branches. 


About  1S5S  the  Rev.  Joseph  Warne  and 
his  wife  came  to  Frankford  and  opened 
a  school  in  their  house,  vthich  stood  at 
the  intersection  of  Penn  and  Harrison 
streets.  Mr.  Warne  was  a  Baptist  min- 
ister, and  he  and  his  wife  had  spent  many 
years  of  their  early  life  as  Baptist  mis- 
sionaries in  India.  Mr.  Warne  was  a 
gentleman  of  education  and  culture. 
Greek,  Latin  and  higher  mathematics 
were  taught  by  Mr.  Warne,  and  music 
by  Mrs.  Warne.  Many  Frankford  boys 
and  girls  attended  this  school,  which  was 
carried  on  for  many  years. 


When  Mrs.  Thompson  opened  the  Girls' 
Boarding  and  Day  School,  Miss  Butler 
came  to  Frankford  as  a  resident  teacher 
in  Alleugrove  Seminary.  She  afterwards 
left  Mrs.  Thompson  and  opened  a  school 
for  boys  and  girls  in  the  house  former- 
ly used  for  a  school  by  Mrs.  Sarah  Mur- 
phy, on  Frankford  avenue  above  Unity 
street.  After  teaching  here  several  years 
she  removed  her  school  to  the  Lyceum 
78 


Building  ami  Infer  on  to  the  Bible  Class 
House  iu  St.  Mark's  Churchyard.  Miss 
Butler  is  advertised  as  teaching  all  the 
English  liraiichi's  and  vocal  music. 


Miss  DutHeld's  School. 
About    IS.'iS   Miss    Dullicld      taught     a 
school    in   the  old   DutlUld  Mansion,   still 
standing  on  Mill  street,  at  the  lower  end 
of  Frankford. 


Miss  Mnrgiiret  Dawson. 
About  18r)9,  Misa  Margaret  Dawson 
taught  a  Hchool  on  Paul  Street  above 
Orthodox  Street.  Miss  Dawson  was 
assisted  by  her  sister.  Miss  Dawson's 
School  was  carried  on  for  several  years 
and  was  largely  attended. 


Miss  Thorp. 
A  Miss  Thorp,  niece  of  the  Misses 
Newbold,  taught  a  school  about  this  time 
ou  Fuul  street,  below  Womrath,  iu  a 
house  which  stood  next  to  the  residence 
of  Mr.    William   Myers. 


The  Misses  Worrell. 

About  IStK)  the  Misses  Mary  and  La- 
vinia  Worrell  taught  a  school  for  little 
children  in  a  house  on  the  east  side  of 
Frankford  avenue,  above  Sellers  street, 
No.  4505.  Mrs.  Eliza  .Tane  Levis,  a  sister 
of  the  ilisses  Worrell,  taught  music  in 
Fr.nnkford  from  185(1  to  ISStJ. 

For  many  years  music  was  taught  in 
Frankford  by  various  teachers,  among  the 
best  known  and  most  successful  teachers 
being  Miss  Mary  Gibson,  who  died  at  an 
advanced  age  a  few  years  ago.  Miss 
Gibson  was  a  woman  of  charming  per- 
sonality and  unusual  iutelligouce,  and  pre- 
served during  her  long  life  the  friendship 
and  esteem  of  all  her  old  pupils  and  a 
large  circle  of  friends. 
79 


Seminary. 
A  school' was  taught  between  1860  and 
1870  by  a  Mr.  Thompson  in  a  building 
erected  by  the  Swedenborgian  Society, 
and  kn<iwn  as  the  Temple,  which  formerly 
stood  at  the  corner  of  Fi-aukford  avenue 
and  Fillmore  street.  The  sign,  "Semi- 
nary," painted  in  gold  letters  on  a  black 
ground,   hung  over  the   dour. 


Misses  Arthur. 
Between  1860  and  1870  the  Misses  Ar- 
thur taught  a  school  for  small  children  io 
their  home  on  Harrison  street  between 
Cedar  and  Willow  streets,  now  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Middleton  family. 


Miss  Elizabeth  Comly's  School. 

United  States  Mint, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  April  22,  1908. 
Dear  Friend  :  — 

Your  letter  of  inquiry  concerning 
the  Comly  Select  School,  Odd  Fellows 
Hall,  which  we  attended,  was  taught  by 
Miss  Libby  or  Elizabeth  Comly,  a  re- 
fined and  highly  educated  lady.  She  was 
a  sister  of  Mr.  James  Comly,  who  was 
an  oflicial  in  the  U.  S.  Custom  House, 
Philadelphia,  and  another  brother,  Mr. 
Joseph  Comly,  proprietor  Old  Jolly  Post 
Hotel.  I  remember  it  was  in  the  early 
seventies,  my  father  sent  Weightman  and 
me  to  her  school  on  account  of  its  dis- 
cipline, and  her  ability  as  a  teacher.  We 
learned  Reading,  Writing,  Mental  Arith- 
metic, and  Grammar  and  Spelling. 
Sometimes  she  was  assisted  by  her  niece 
Miss  Lily  Comly.  Among  the  pupils  I 
remember  were  Wm.  Bault,  Jr.,  John 
Bault,  Elmer  Bault,  John  Bechtel,  his 
sister  Miriam,  Harry  Wilson,  Wm.  H. 
Mann,  Wm.  Weightman  Farr,. Walter  A. 
Farr,  Wm.  Chipman,  Albert  Chipman, 
James  Dawson,  George  K.  Hilles,  Wm. 
80 


.McKinlev,  'rhdiiiiis  Adatiis,  .lolm  I'dwcII, 
Tnivcr  ratter.-<i>ii,  Win.  Mdwanl  and 
Harry  Si'dilon,  Dt-Chanip  boys,  HiuIhoii 
boys,  Caiiiphfll  boys,  Worrt'lls,  Kt-d- 
wards,  and  Wright  boys,  and  many  pirls 
of  .Monn'  ol  the  abov»^  nuMitiuni-d  fainilicrt, 
whose  namt'9  I  forget. 

The  old  j)iinip  niakt-r  whom  yon  have 
reference  to,  where  we  gathered  the 
chips  to  make  the  teacher's  (Hound 
Stove)  fire,  was  Isaac  Cliipman,  the 
father  of  Jack  Chipman,  .«oldier  and 
pi)Htii'iaii,  who  recently  died  at  Kock- 
iedge,  Mont.  Co.,  Pa.  After  Miss  Coinly 
retired  from  .«ciiooi  teaching,  she  resided 
with  her  brother,  .lames,  in  the  old 
homestead,  corner  Paul  and  Womrath 
streets,  where  you  will  remember  my 
family  lived  for  many  years,  where  of- 
times  you  were  a  welcome  visitor.  I 
thiuk  Miss  Comly  was  a  hicksite  Quak- 
eress, and  I  believe  she  died  in  the 
eighties,  much  beloved  and  respected. 
1  know  of  but  few  of  her  former  pupils 
who  are  now  living.  This  is  the  best  I 
can  do  for  you  in  this  direction .     Kindest 

Regards.         Vtnirs  sincerely, 

WALTEl:  A.  lAlil;. 


Beside  the  schools  already  described, 
schools  kuown  in  KiiKlan"!  as  Dame's 
Bchools  for  little  children,  were  held  in 
various  parts  of  Frankford.  One  was 
kept  by  Mrs.  Coffee  in  tlie  liouse  on 
Cherry  street,  near  Foulkrod  .'Street.  Mrs. 
Coffee's  husband.  William  Coffee,  taught 
the  colored  school  for  many  years. 

Mrs.  Sprowles  kept  a  Dame's  school 
at  the  corner  of  Foulkrod  and  Willow 
streets.  Dame's  schools  were  for  chil- 
dren four  and  five  years  old,  aud  wertf 
carried  on  after  the  fashion  uf  kiMdorgar- 
teus  at  the  present  lime,  with  a  great  deal 
•f  pluy  between  the  lessons. 
81 


In  closing  this  record  of  tlie  schools  of 
Fraukford,  covering  a  periiod  of  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years,  from  1728  to 
fSTO,  we  wish  to  call  attention  to  the 
l*rye  unniber  of  schools  of  hi^h  grade 
which  were  carried  on  in  our  town  and 
its  immediate  neighborhood  as  well  as  to 
the  schools  for  younger  children,  taught 
by  faithful  and  intelligent  men  and 
women. 

Frankford  in  those  days  was  a  quiet, 
pretty  country  village,  six  miles  from 
town,  as  the  old  milestone  on  Frankford 
avenue,  above  Foulkrod  street,  on  the 
pavement  of  the  first  Public  School 
House  tells  us  Its  healllifulness  and 
the  quiet  behavior  of  its  inhabi- 
tants are  spoken  of  iu  some  of  the 
advertisements  of  schools  as  inducements 
to  parents  to  send  their  children  to  the 
schools  which  found  homes  within  its 
limits. 

The  intelligence  of  the  community  is 
shown  by  the  number  of  day  schools  sup- 
ported by  the  townspeople  and  by  the 
existence  of  a  Public  Library  before 
1S1!3.  The  Historical  Society  has  iu  its 
possession  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
of  the  Frankford  Library  Company, 
printed  in  1847,  which  states  on  its  title 
page  that  this  library  was  revived  in 
I82n. 

The  building  of  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments and  the  large  influx  of  opera- 
tives in  the  various  mills  which  were 
erected  after  ISGO  changed  the  country 
village  into  a  large  manufacturing  town. 


82 


The  Public  Schools 

And  tlicir  hcvrlopiiitnt  in  the  Old  l''il'th 

Section  of  the  County  of 

IMiiladclphia. 


By  Maky  Wkigmt. 

Published  unfertile  Direction  of  the  Committee 
on  History  of  the  illstoricnl  Sofiety. 

The  Frame  of  (lovernment  for  I'enn- 
sylvania  prepared  by  William  I'enn  in 
England  in  i()S2,  before  he  sailed  for 
America,  seems  to  have  anticipated  the 
establishment  of  schools  in  the  colony 
for  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  people. 
Article  XII.  provides  "that  the  Gover- 
nor and  Provincial  Conncil  shall  erect 
and  order  all  public  schools"  ;  and  the 
code  of  laws  for  the  regulation  :uiil  di- 
rection of  the  Province,  which  nceoni- 
panied  this  Frame,  or  Charter,  contains 
tlie  following  provision  for  a  gonoral 
system  of  industrial  education:  "All  chil- 
dren within  this  province  of  the  age  of 
twelve  years  shall  he  taught  some  u.seful 
trade  or  skill  to  the  end  none  may  be  idle 
but  the  poor  may  worlc  to  iivi',  and  the 
rich,  if  they  heconie  [loor,  may  not 
want." 

The  first  General  Asseuihly  of  tln> 
Province  met  at  Chester,  from  Dec.  4th 
to  8th,  l(i82,  five  weeks  after  Peun's  ar- 
rival, and  the  "Great  Law"  then  adopted 
?o(itain.s   the  following  reipiirement: 

"The  Laws  of  this  Province,  from  time 
to  time.   !shall    bo   pnhlished   and    printed, 
that  every  jierson   may   have  the  knowl- 
edge (hereof;   and    lli'V    shall    he   one    of 
b3 


the  books   taught   iu   the   schools   of   this 
Province  and  Territories   thereof." 

"The  men  who  passed  this  \nw,"  says 
Wiclcersham,  "evidently  contemplated  the 
o>:tablishment  of  schools  under  public  au- 
thority, and  recognized  the  importance  of 
preparing  the  young  to  become  good  citi- 
zens by  requiring  them  to  be  made  ae- 
(puiinted  in  the  schools  with  the  laws  by 
which   they  were  governed." 

A  new  Frame  of  Government,  present- 
ed by  Penn,  was  adopted  by  the  second 
General  Assembly,  which  met  in  Phila- 
delphia on  March  10,  1683.  It  contains 
a  provision  relating  to  the  control  and 
management  of  education,  which  was  not 
in  the  first  Frame.  After  requiring  that 
"the  Governor  and  Provincial  Council 
shall  erect  and  order  all  public  schools," 
it  provides  that  "one-third  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Council,  residing  with  the  Gov- 
ernnor  from  time  to  time  shall,  with  the 
Governor,  have  the  care  of  the  manage- 
ment of  public  affairs  relating  to  the 
peace,  justice,  treasury,  *  *  to  the 
good  education  of  youth,  and  sobriety  of 
the  manners  of  the  inhabitants."  By  this 
Act  a  Board  for  the  management  and  su- 
jiervision   of  schools  was  provided. 

The  Assembly  of  1683,  carrying  out 
Peun's  ideas,  also  passed  a  law  making 
education  compulsory.  It  contains  the 
following  provisions: 

"To  the  end  thai  the  poor  as  well  a«< 
the  rich  may  be  instructed  in  good  and 
commendable  learning,  which  is  to  be 
preferred  before  wealth,  Be  it  enacted, 
That  all  persons  in  this  Province  and 
Territories  thereof,  having  children,  and 
all  the  guardians  and  trustees  of  or- 
phans, shall  cause  such  to  be  instructed 
in  reading  and  writing,  so  that  they  may 
be  able  to  read  the  Scriptures  and  to 
write  by  the  time  they  attain  to  twelve 

84 


years  of  ajjc.  •  •  ♦  And  in  tiiso  sii<  1» 
|i!irenls,  yuiiniiHim,  i>r  overseers  sliall  1)0 
r.iiniil  (Itlioifiil  ill  iliis  respecl,  ovi'ry  such 
iniri'iit,  fjiianliau,  or oviTst'cr  shall  jiay  fur 
•  very  siuh  thilil  live  iioiiiids,  cxit-pl  llicri- 
sl.'diilil  ai>|)ear  an  iiu-apacily  in  Imdy  <ir 
iii.dt'rstaiKling   tu  liiiider  it." 

This  was  onr  first  (•(iinpnlsdry  «'iln«'alioii 
law  That  this  schoid  law  was  (Miftirivd 
appears  from  variuiis  rmiri  records.  Af- 
|iT  li'ii  years  it  was  ai>ri>>;ated  by  \\'il- 
iiain  and  Mary,  Imt  it  was  siiliseipienily 
re-enaeted  under  (invtwimr  Fletcher,  amJ 
there  is  no  record  to  show  thai  it  was 
ever  afterwards  foinially  repealed. 

The  (Jovernor  and  t'ouncil,  under  the 
anthority  of  the  pr<ivisio»  of  Manh. 
ICiS:},  iiroeeedcd  to  employ  a  scho(ilmaster 
and  to  arranire  for  the  upeninj;  of  a 
schnol.  wliich  shonld  include  both  hoard- 
in.ir  ami  (I:iy  iiiii)ils.  The  Minutes  of  the 
Provincial  Coiuuil  contain  the  folinwin^' 
record   for   Deceinher  2ti,    ]HS;i: 

"At  a  Conncil  at  rhiladel[)hia,  ye  '2C>th 
nf  ye  10th  month,  1U8:5,  Present:  William 
Peiui.  Propor  &  Govr:  Tho.  Holmes, 
Wni.Haigne,  T>asse  Cock.  Wm.  Clayton 
"The  (iovr  and  Pn.vll  Councill.  hav- 
ing taken  into  tlieir  Serious  Consideration 
the  jj;reat  Necessity  there  is  of  a  School 
Master  for  ye  iiistriictiou  &  Sober  Edu- 
cation of  y.iiiili  in  the  towne  (d"  Philadel- 
phia, Sent  for  Knocli  tlower,  an  Inhabi- 
tant of  the  said  Towne.  wiio  for  twenty 
Year  past  liaih  bi'.^n  exercised  in  tiiat 
pare  and  Imploymeiit  iu  Knjriand.  to 
whom  havein;;  Communicaleil  their 
Minds,  he  Embraced  it  u|(on  the  follow- 
ing Terms:  to  Learne  to  read  Eniilish 
4  s  by  the  Quarter,  to  Learne  l«  read 
and  write  0  s  by  y«!  Quarter,  to  learne 
to  read,  Write,  and  Cast  accot  8  s  by 
ye  Quarter;  for  Boarding  a  Scholler.  that 
is    to   say,   dyet,    Wasliiug,    Lodging;,    and 

85 


Scooliug,  Tenn  pounds:  for  one  wholo 
.year." 

Kiiooh  Flower  opeued  bis  school  soon 
afterwards  in  a  small  house,  built  of  pine 
and  cedar  planks.  He  came  from  Will- 
shire,  and  bis  name  appears  in  I'enn's 
Record  of  Sales  in  England  of  I>and  in 
Poimsylvania,  dated  3d  mo.  (:\IaT)  22, 
1C>S2,  as  purchaser  of  20C)0  acres  of  lnud 
in  the  r'rovince. 

We  are  told  sometimes  that  Philadel- 
phians  in  our  own  day  speak  the  flat 
English  of  the  southwestern  shires- 
Wilts,  Somerset  and  Dorset.  Did  good 
Enoch  Flower  Impress  bis  Wiltshire 
speech  on  all  succeeding  generations  in 
Philadelphia? 

In  1GS9  William  Penn,  tlien  in  Eng- 
hind,  wrote  to  Thomas  Lloyd,  President 
of  the  Council,  instructing  him  to  set  up 
"a  public  Grammar  School"  in  Philadel- 
phia, which  he  promised  to  incorporate  at 
a  future  time.  This  is  thought  to  have 
been  the  beginning  of  the  "Friends'  Pub- 
lic School,"  now  known  as  the  "Penn 
Charter  School."  which  was  opened  in 
l(i89  and  formally  charteretl  in   1097. 

The  charter  provided  that  all  children 
and  servants,  male  and  female,  should 
be  admitted  into  the  school,  "the  rich 
at  reasonable  rates  and  the  poor  to  be 
maintained  and  schooled  for  nothing." 

A  Public  Grammar  School,  however, 
did  not  mean  what  we  usually  under- 
stand by  the  term  now,  but  an  endowed 
school  especially  designed  to  teach  the 
classics  and  mathematics,  and  free  only  to 
such  persons  as  might  be  designated  in 
the  charter  to  receive  free  instruction. 

The  tirst  principal  of  this  Friends'  Pub- 
lic School  was  George  Keith,  a  native 
of  Scotland,  whose  salary  was  fifty 
pounds  a  year,  with  the  use  of  the  school- 
house  as  a  place  of  residence  for  his 
86 


nniiily,  ttiyelliiT  with  all  the  profits  of 
the  school.  Those  who  could  afford  to 
pay  were  charfii-d  a  ctTtaiu  aiimiiiil, 
while  the  poor  were  to  ho  taiijjht  free  of 
ihar^e.  At  the  end  of  the  year  Thomas 
.MaUiii  was  elected  head  master  of  the 
>chool. 

Makin  was  asked  to  procure  a  "certifi- 
cate of  his  al)ility,  Irarniii!;  and  dili^'euct' 
from  the  inhabitants  of  note  in  the  town, 
in  order  to  the  obtaining  of  a  license." 
lie  was  probably,  as  Mr.  Wickersham 
remarks,  "ihe  first  iea<hi'r  in  the  State 
reipiiri'd  Iw  iirucurf  a  icriiliiMk'  of  ijnali- 
Gcatiou." 

In  connection  wiih  this  school,  and  to 
carry  out  the  liberal  ideas  of  its  founders, 
a  system  of  branch  tree  schools  was  af- 
terwards established  for  the  children  of 
those  who  could  not  afford  to  pay  for 
e<Iucatian.  These  schools,  partly  endow- 
ed and  supported  by  Friends,  were  in- 
creased in  number  from  time  to  time,  and 
continued  for  nearly  two  hundred  years 
to  be  a  blessing  to  the  citizens  of  Phila- 
delphia. They  were  abandoned  only 
wheu  the  public  school  system  had  beeu 
extended  lo  provide  for  the  e<lu(ation 
of  all  the  chihlren  of  the  city. 

The  advanced  educational  views  of  the 
foumler  of  reiuisylvani.i  and  his  imme- 
diate followers  do  not  seem  to  have  been 
held  by  those  who  succeeded  tliein  in  the 
;r:>vernment  of  the  rroviiice,  as  very  lit- 
tle reiatiuK  lo  ediicalional  matters  can  be 
f.iund  on  record  as  emaniting  from  any 
branch  of  the  governmciit  ,  from  Tenu's 
time  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Kevo- 
liitionaiy  War.  The  charter  of  1701, 
gn-nted  by  I'enn  himself,  made  no  men- 
tion of  a  system  of  free  or  pid)lic  scbooi««, 
and  as  this  charter  was  in  force  iin>il 
1770  the  idea  of  general  education  made 
slow  progress. 

87 


The  conflicts  among  the  settlers,  ^yhicll 
began  even  in  Penu's  tiiiie,  arising  Ironi 
differences  of  nationality,  of  social  con- 
dition and  of  religious  belief,  were  un- 
favorable to  the  growth  of  general  public 
education.  The  policy  of  the  government 
of  Pennsylvania  for  more  than  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  was  to  compel  those 
who  were  able  to  do  so  to  pay  for  the  edu- 
cation of  their  own  children,  and  to  edu- 
cate the  children  of  others  free. 

An  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  in  1712, 
Iirovided  that  all  religious  societies,  as- 
semblies and  congregations  of  Proteslanis 
should  be  allowed  to  purchase  lands  and 
tenements  for  erecting  schools,  hospitaN, 
etc.,  and  a  further  act  of  1730  r,'avv? 
these  societies  power  "to  take  and  ve- 
ceive,  by  gift,  grant  or  otherwise,  estates, 
moneys,"  etc.,  for  the  endowment  of  such 
institutions. 

As  the  State  ceased  to  exert  itself  in 
behalf  of  education,  private  charity  and 
personal  philanthropy,  in  various  forms, 
tried  to  do  what  the  public  authorities 
failed  to  perform.  Various  charitable  so- 
cieties were  organized,  which  established 
private  schools  for  the  free  instruction 
of  the  poor.  The  different  religious 
bodies,  and  the  people  themselves,  took 
up  the  burden  and  planted  .schools  as 
best  they  could  in  all  directions  through- 
out  Ihe   growing  colony. 

In  many  communities  neighborhood 
schools  arose,  often  supported  by  a 
few  families,  in  which  the  children  were 
taught  reading,  writing,  spelling  and 
arithmetic.  These  schools  were  sometimes 
held  in  private  houses,  but  usually  school- 
houses  were  built  and  parents  sent  their 
children  to  the  school  as  best  they  could. 
It  has  been  estimated  that  at  the  time 
of  the  adoption   of   the   Common   School 

88 


System  in  r.-iins.vlv:iiii;i,  in  is;;4  nml 
l.S:{(;,  ilu'io  wtMf  iit  li'iist  four  tlioiisaiiil 
scliiiollioiisps  ill  ili>-  Si.ilf,  wliicli  liuil 
boiMi  built  byllic  voliiiitarv  cinitribiitiiiiirt 
I'l  till'  i)»-oplf,  in  ihi-ir  ri'spoclivi'  iifi};li- 
borhoods. 

rtu-  Kriends,  almost  from  I  be  lirnt, 
j'stiibiislu'd  schools  for  their  own 
cbildrt'ii  in  conn('ctif)n  with  tlu-ir 
iiicctin.ijs.  At  a  (iiiartfrly  Mfitiiiji, 
lieiil  ill  IMiilinlcl|.lii:i.  in  ilih  inuniji.  ICS;?, 
it  W)is  (locidf'd  to  t>stiii)lisli  First  l>iiy 
Mcoliit;,'^  ,it  Ti.knny  (altt-rw.-inls  Fraiik- 
fordl  :iiid  I'licfijiiosiiik  (jatt-r  (alifd  P.y- 
lierry).  Foi-  ;i  tinif  ilie  meetings  wor.> 
lii'ld  at  tlip  lioiisp  of  S;ir:iii  Scary,  uf 
Oxford,  this  heinsr  (lie  forerunner  of  tin' 
Frankford  Moelinj,',  and  at  John  Hart's 
house  on  the  Poiinessinir.  the  he.ginniii>:  of 
P.yherry    Meeting. 

The  first  meetiin^  house  at  P.yliorry  was 
linilt  in  iri94.  It  was  a  small  Iniildinu- 
of  loffs,  chinked  with  mud  anil  covered 
with  bark.  It  is  known  that  a  school 
was  tan<;bt  at  the  Byberry  Mpptinn;  in 
1710,  by  Piichard  Brockden.  This  is  the 
first  school  of  which  a  record  has  been 
found  in  the  portion  of  Philadelphia 
County,  orfianized  more  than  a  century 
later  as  the  Fifth  School  Section,  which 
included  the  townships  of  Oxford,  Lower 
Dublin,  Byberry  and  Moreland.  Having 
licen  lilicrally  endowed,  in  1M(I(»  the  P.y- 
licrry  School  was  made  a  free  school  for 
Friends. 

In  171S  :i  srliooi  existed  at  Trinity 
Church,  Oxford,  three  miles  from  Frank- 
ford,  which  was  taught  by  Nathatnel 
Walton,  "a  man  of  good  repute."  Nine 
years  later,  in  1729,  Nathaniel  Walton 
was  carrying  on  a  school  in  Frankford, 
which  was  attended  by  the  children  of 

8^) 


Friends  and  others.  Copies  of  two  in- 
teresting letters,  written  by  Thomas 
Chalkley  to  Nathaniel  Walton  in  1727,  in 
reference  to  the  instruction  of  his  child- 
ren are  still  in  existence.  Nathaniel 
Walton's  school  is  the  first  school  in 
Frankford  of  which  mention  has  been 
found. 

A  school  was  taiiLiht  in  conuectiou  with 
the  Lower  Diihliii  B:ii)tist  I'hurcli  iu 
17.''2,  which  may  have  been  in  existence 
earlier.  In  17t36  a  Classical  and  Theo- 
logical School  was  established  by  the  pas- 
tor 01'  this  church,  the  Itev.  Samuel 
Jones.  (Jut  of  this  school  grew  the  Ijower 
Dublin  Academy,  which  was  chartered  in 
1794. 

A  school  was  organized  in  Moreland 
township,  and  a  schoolhouse  was  built 
there  prior  to  the  year  174;'.. 

"The  Academy  and  Charity  School  of 
the  Province  of  Pennsylvania"  was  ijr(.i- 
posed  by  Dr.  Franklin  and  a  group 
of  the  leading  citizens  of  Philadelphia 
in  the  year  174.3,  but  it  was  not  chartered 
until  the  year  175.3.  In  1755,  by  a  sec- 
ond act  of  incorporation,  the  Academy 
was  made  a  college,  willi  the  right  to 
confer  degrees,  and  from  it  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania  grew.  Under  the 
same  management  a  .system  of  free 
schools,  or  charity  schools,  was  estab- 
lished, similar  to  those  cai-ried  on  in  con- 
nection with  the  Friends'  Public  S<'hool. 
These  schools  were  maintained  by  the 
authorities  of  the  University  for  more 
than   a   century. 

In  1770  a  private  school  was  ojicned  iu 
in  the  city  by  Anthony  Benezet,  in  which 
free  instruction  was  given  to  negro  child- 
ren, and  in  17S9  the  "Society  for  the 
Free  Instruc  tion  of  Black  People"  was 
organized. 

In  1791  the  Sunday  School  Society  was 

90 


ill^l  il  Micil.         Il      lii'lil      srlliiiil      si'ssidlls     nil 

Smidiiy  ""fur  ilio  iiistriu'tidii  of  tliosc  wlin 
liml  ii»  u|)|)iirtiiiiit.v  of  ari|iiit'iiiK  tin-  Im-ii- 
ctit  of  school  Icviniinp."  In  IT'.Mi  Ainu- 
Piinish.  II  I'''rii.'ii(l.  opciieil  a  sclioid  ri>r 
iifgli'Ctod  sirls.  ill  wliirli  rcmliii^;,  wril- 
iiij:,  spelling',  .•iiitliiiii'tic  ;iiul  sowing  were 
t:iu?ht.  Ill  IsnT  ih,-  I'liiladflpliia  Asho- 
oiatioii  for  the  IiisliMictioii  of  I'oor  C'hil- 
ilrt'ii  was  founded.  It  was  im-orporatrd 
hi  ISOS.  Tlio  Adcll)hi  Srlioids  were  es- 
tablished and  caiTii'il  on  tiy  this  associa- 
tion. These  ami  similar  or;:aniy.alioii«{ 
l<e[)t  np  an  interest  in  the  ediu-atioii  of 
the  ehildren  of  the  whole  eonimnnity. 
and  ineparril  ijic  wav  for  Ihc  estahlish- 
inent   of  a  system   (d    free  jjublie  sehooi."!. 

In  ihe  winter  of  ITU!)  a  few  yonii;; 
men.  who  were  in  the  liubit  of  uieelin^j  in 
the  eveniiiii  for  the  discnssion  id"  social 
(|uesti(Mis,  orfiiini/.ed  themselves  into  "'rin* 
rhiladeliihia  Society  for  the  Free  In- 
slrmiiuii  (if  IiK]ij;ciil  Boys."  A  nifjht 
school  was  opened;  in  whieh  between  '-'O 
nnd  ."^O  boys  were  inslnicteil  in  the  fun- 
damental branches  of  an  Euirlish  ednca- 
tion,  the  yoiini^  men  themselves  aetiii;,',  in 
turn,  as  teaclu'rs.  Their  total  revenue 
duriii;;  the  first  season  was  !i!lti..'{7.  de- 
rived from  their  own  cdiitribntions.  In  the 
followinir  year,  1S<m».  ih.^  S(M'icty  increas- 
fd  in  numbers  .ind  the  work  was  ex- 
tended, and  in  ISdl  it  was  resolvicl  to 
open   a  boys'  ilay  school. 

The  Constitntinii  of  the  Such'ty  wa«f 
then  remodeled  and  the  lille  was  chansred 
to  "The  riiiladelphia  Society  for  the  Es- 
tablishment and  Support  of  Clmrify 
Schools."  It  continneil  to  grow  in 
ijinibers,  and  durinir  the  smne  year. 
l.'^ttl,  it  was  ineorpor.iled  by  Aet  of  As- 
sembly. This  beiim  the  first  ediicntionnl 
association  incorpor.ited  in  Pennsylvania 
nfter  the  Ilevolntion,  for  the  eslabrwh- 
91 


ment  of  free  sehf'ol.s  for  poor  cliildren.  it 
received  tlie  legacy  left  by  Christopher 
I^ndwic-k  I'or  that  |)urpose,  aiiinuutini;-  to 
$13,000.  The  work  conthiuod  to  grow, 
and  additional  legaoios  and  contribiilions 
%vere  received.  In  1811  a  sihool  for  girls 
was  established,  and  by  the  close  of  the 
following  year,  1S12,  fonr  hundred  and 
fifty  boys  and  girls  were  being  educated 
liy  the  Society,  at  an  aiunnil  expendi- 
ture of  .$1700.  The  principal  school  build- 
ing of  the  Society  slill  .stands,  on  \\'.ilnut 
street  above  Sixth  street,  in  the  rear  of 
the  property  marked  "The  Lndwick 
Building."  In  1810  ten  schools,  with 
nearly  .300  pupils,  were  organized  by  the 
Society  in  Southwark,  the  County  Com- 
missioners agreeing  to  pay  for  the  tuition 
of  a  limited  number  of  pupils,  at  the  rate 
of  six  dollars  per  annum.  After  the  Act 
of  Assembly  of  1818.  ))njviding  for  the 
education  of  the  children  of  the  poor  of 
the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia  went 
into  o])eration,  the  schools  of  this  So- 
ciety \\'ere  gradually  merged  in  the  gen- 
eral system  of  free  schools.  The  Secre- 
tary of  this  society  for  a  number  of  years 
was  Mr.  John  Kenworthy,  an  active 
business  man  of  the  city.  His  son,  Mr. 
Joseph  R,  Kenworthy,  is  a  well  known 
resident  of  Frankford. 

In  177(^  after  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence was  proclaimed,  a  provisional 
Constitution  was  framed  for  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  which  provided  for  the 
establishment  of  a  school  oi-  schools  in 
each  county  by  the  Legislature,  the  teach- 
ers of  which  should  be  paid  by  the  public. 
The  Constitution  adopted  in  1790  con- 
tains the  following  clause  :  — 

"The  Legislature  as  soon  as  con- 
veniently may  be,  shall  provide  by  law 
for  the  establishment  of  schools  through- 

92 


out  tlio  Stat(<  in  siiili  :i  uianiicr  lliiit  llio 
jioof  tnay  In-  t:m;,'lit  ;;i!iiis."  'I'his  provis- 
ion, thouj^h  nut  i)iit  into  execution  nt  tlint 
tiiiif,  was  tile  niitiiorily  for  the  estalilisli- 
meiit  <if  a  systPHi  of  free  pnlilie  schools. 
Tile  elniisi-  iirii;iii:illy  prciviilcil  fur  the 
free  ediieatiuii  of  the  poor  only,  but  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  deeitled,  in 
1KU,  that  it  (lid  not  forbid  the  establish- 
ment of  free  silinojs  for  all  chililriii,  rich 
and  poor  alike. 

.\ctH  of  the  Lej^iylature  in  l.SUiJ, 
1S04  and  180!)  endeavored  to  provide  for 
the  education  at  public  expense,  of  the 
children  of  i)oor  parcnLs,  in  existing  church 
and  neiuiilidrhoiid  schools. 

The  Act  of  18()9  placed  the  education  of 
"indi;;ent  children  at  public  expense,"  im- 
der  the  control  of  the  County  Commission- 
ers. The  children  to  be  cared  for  were 
to  be  repnited  by  the  asses.sors  and  as- 
siiiued  by  the  Conunissioners  to  certain 
teachers  of  established  private  and  en- 
dowed schools.  The  Commissioners  se- 
lected the  schools  to  which  the  children 
were  sent,  parents  having  no  choice  in 
the  matter. 

In  1812  a  supplenuMii  to  ilu>  Actof  1809 
authorized  the  County  Commissioners  of 
I'hiladeli)hia,  "if  they  thought  the  cause 
of  education  ur  the  public  good  would  be 
pfonu)ted  thereby,  t<>  establish  public 
schools  in  su«'h  manner  and  under  such 
regulations  as  the  Councils  of  the  city 
of  IMiiladelphia  and  the  Boards  of  Com- 
missioners of  the  townships  of  the  North- 
ern Liberties  and  the  District  of  South- 
wark  shall  a|)|>rove."  The  act  also  per- 
niittcil  the  Conunissioners  ti>  furnish 
pupils  with  stationery,  s<hool  books  and 
other  materials.  This  was  the  tirst  free 
text-book  legislation  in  the  State. 

From  1810  to  1818  the  amwunt  paid  per 
pupil   to  teachers  of  private  schools  was 
93 


$10  per  annimi  for  reading  aloue,  and 
$12  for  reading  and  writing.  During 
these  years  the  County  Commissioners  is- 
sued orders  upon  the  county  treasury  for 
the  payment  of  teachers  to  whom  the 
children  of  indigent  parents  'were  entrust- 
ed for  education,  amounting  to  $141,- 
114.97. 

On  March  6,  1818,  a  new  school  law, 
supplementing  the  Act  of  1812,  was 
passed  by  the  General  Assembly,  entitled, 
"An  act  to  provide  for  the  education  of 
children  at  public  expense  in  the  city  and 
county  of  Philadelphia."  By  this  act  the 
city  and  county  of  Philadelphia  were 
erected  into  a  school  district,  to  be  called 
the  First  School  District  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  authority  was  granted  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  model  school  for  the  train- 
ing of  teachers.  This  model  school,  which 
was  opened  in  1820,  was  the  first  school 
for  the  training  of  teachers  in  the  United 
States,  and  from  it  our  present  Normal 
School  developed. 

By  Section  10  of  the  act,  the  Lancaster- 
ian  system  of  teaching  "in  the  most  ap- 
proved form"  was  adopted  for  Philadel- 
phia, except  in  the  tow^nships  of  Oxford, 
Lower  Dublin,  Byberry,  Moreland,  Ger- 
mantown,  Bristol,  Roxborough,  Blockley 
and  Kingsessing.  The  exception  was 
made  because  of  the  impossibility  of  ap- 
plying the  Lancasterian  system,  by  which 
most  of  the  teaching  was  done  by  pupil 
teachers,  in  country  districts. 

The  First  School  District  was  divided 
into  sections  as  follows:  The  city  of 
Philadelphia  constituted  the  First  Section; 
the  Northern  Liberties  and  Kensington 
the  Second  Section;  Southwark,  Moya- 
meusing  and  Passyunk  the  Third  Section; 
Penn  township  the  Fourth  Section ;  Ox- 
ford township  (which  included  Frank- 
ford),  Lower  Dublin,  Byberry  and  More- 

94 


land,  the  Fifth  Section;  Gerniantowii,  and 
Hiisidl  :iii<l  Ituxhunmuh  ti»\vii.shi|ts  (lie 
Sixlli  Scclii.n;  IJIocklcy  ami  KinKs»'Msiri« 
tlio  S«'Vi'iitli  Sfiiiim. 

Tlie  act  also  provided  for  a  joint  mria- 
ing  eacli  year  of  tlie  Common  and  Select 
Cumicils  uf  (lie  city  to  select  "  the  re- 
t|uirt'd  number  of  taxable  inhabitants  to 
be  Directors  of  the  Public  Schools"  in 
the  city  proper.  In  each  of  the  incor- 
]jorated  districts  the  Directors  were  t^i  he 
cliDSeii  by  the  ("ommissioners  of  the  dis- 
trict, and  ill  tlie  outlying  sections  they 
were  to  be  appninted  by  the  Judges  of 
the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions. 

In  the  City    proper  and    incorporated 
di.strlcts,    the   directors    were     required 
to     organize      immediately      and      elect 
"  one    suitable     person      from      among 
themselves    for    every     six    directors," 
to   be    a    member    of    a    "select  body" 
called   the    "Controllers    of   the    Public 
Schoolsfor  the  City  and  County  of  Phila- 
delphia."      The    controllers  were  autbor- 
izetl    to   make   such  jreiioral   rules   for  the 
nuvermnont  of  tin;  schools  as  they   nii^ht 
deem  uecessnry.  in  ilcti'iuiine  the  inimher 
of    schoiil    houses    to    he    erected,    and    to 
limit   the  expense   for  the  same,   to  pro- 
vide  suitable   text   books,    to     exercise 
general    superintendence    over    all     the 
schoiils.   and   tn   (lualify   teachers   for   tlie 
sectional   s<ho(.>ls   or    for     the      sclmnls    in 
other  parts  of  the  State  if  requested  to  do 
so  by  School  Directors.     I"  this  provision 
is  seen    the  ori;:in   of  our  dual  system   of 
school  control. 

The  School  Director?  in  the  outlying 
sections  were  not  at  first  represented  in 
the  Board  of  Controllers. 

The  Act  of  1.S18  was  a  preat  iniprove- 
jiHMit  over  all  j)recedinp  legislation  in  re- 
gard to  eduralioii.  P.iit  the  schools  estab- 
lished in  I'hilailelphia  under  this  act  were 

y5 


not  intended  to  be  public  schools  for  the 
whole  people.  The  object  of  the  act  was 
to  provide  by  pviblic  authority  a  better 
and  less  expensive  way  of  educating  the 
children  of  the  poor. 

Philadelphia  had  no  free  pubHc  schools 
supported  frona  the  public  funds  and 
open  to  all  children  without  distinction 
until  after  the  passage  of  the  Act  of  1836. 


Free  Education  Under  the 

Act  of  1818. 


The  Act  of  1818,  which  formed  the  city 
and  county  of  Philadelphia  into  the  First 
School  District  of  Pennsylvania, jontaiu- 
ed  several  special  provisions  applying  to 
the  outlying  townships  of  the  county: 

1.  The  School  Directors  of  the  outly- 
ing sections  were  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Judges  of  the  County  Court,  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions.  In  the  city  proper  they 
were  to  be  chosen  by  the  City  Councils 
and  in  the  incorporated  districts  by  the 
District  Commissioners. 

2.  The  School  Directors  of  the  outly- 
ing sections  were  not  represented  in  the 
Board  of  Controllers  of  Schools,  the  juris- 
diction of  that  body  extending  only  over 
the  city  and  incorporated  districts. 

3.  Teaching  by  the  Lancasterian  sys- 
tem   was   not   required,   being   considered 

impractical  in  country  districts.  The 
School  Directors  were  authorized  to  seud 
children  to  private  schools,  either  under 
trustees  or  under  personal  management 
by  contributors  or  teachers,  as  had  been 
done  previously  under  the  school  law  of 
1809,  the  directors  designating  the  schools 
to  which  the  pupils  should  be  sent  and 
fixing  the  amount  to  be  paid  per  pupil 
96 


for  tuition.  Tlioy  also  clotonniiiod  what 
•  liildron,  in  each  township,  slioiild  he 
f<lno:iteiI  at  piihlic-  cxpcnst',  tliis  liavinR 
been  tlone  innier  the  fornnT  act  hy  the 
Assessors  and  County  Cuuiuiissioners. 

4.  liy  tiiu  wordiuu  of  the  al)ove  tliird- 
nauied  provision  tiie  net  h'ft  the  choir-e  of 
teachers  in  tiie  outlying  sections  and  tiie 
ctiiisidcration  and  detennininp  of  their 
qnaliticatii.ns  entirely  with  the  local 
I'oards  of  Directors. 

r>.  The  ac<'ounts  of  the  School  Hojirds 
of  these  sections  were  to  be  submitted 
directly  to  the  auditors  of  the  county,  and 
llh'  I'.nards  of  Directors  were  empowered 
lo  draw  ordt>rs  i  n  the  County  Treasiirer 
for  the  payment  of  contracts  for  tuition 
and  other  necessary  expenses,  "in  the 
same  proporlinn  as  the  other  sections." 

As  mifjht  be  expected,  the  last-named 
provision  resulted  in  fretpient  disagree- 
ments between  the  outlying  Sectional 
Boards  and  the  Board  of  Controllers. 

Ill  accordance  with  the  Act  of  ilarch, 
ISIS,  the  Judjres  of  the  Court  of  Quar- 
ter Sessions  appointetl  the  following 
named  citizens,  well  known  in  their  re- 
spective townships,  as  meml)ers  of  the 
I'.oard  of   Directors  of  the  Fifth  Section: 

I'oi-  Oxfonl  Townshii*— Abraham  Duf- 
tield  ami  Nathan  Ilarjjer  of  Frankford, 
John  Lardner,  John  Keen. 

For  Lower  Dublin  Township — William 
Maghee,  Joshua  Jones,  Samuel  Swift, 
James  Fatil. 

l"or  I'yberry  Township — Benjamin 
Walmsley,  James  Thornton. 

For  Morelaml  Township — Jacob  Shear- 
er,  Kdward    Dufheld. 

The  Directors  met  for  organization  on 
July  H,  1818,  at  Holmesburg,  and  elect«>d 
Will.  Maghee,  president,  and  Sani'l  Swift 
secretary,  both  representing  Lower  Dub- 
liu.    At    a    subseipient    meeting    Nathan 

97 


Harper,  of  Frankford,  in  Oxford  Town- 
ship, was  chosen  treasurer,  and  the  mem- 
bers from  the  different  townships  were 
appointed  local  committees  to  look  after 
the  business  of  their  respective  townships 
and  report  the  same  to  the  Board  at  its 
regular  meetings. 

Several  other  meetings  were  held  during 
July,  at  one  of  which  it  Avas  "Resolved, 
That  the  secretary  of  the  Board  be  au- 
thorized to  inform  the  Commissioners  of 
the  county  that  the  Directors  will  under- 
take the  duties  prescribed  to  them  by 
law  on  the  10th  of  August  next,"  that 
being  the  date  when  the  act  of  Assembly 
was  to  go  into  effect.  At  a  meeting  held 
on  .Tuly  27  the  directors  of  Oxford  town- 
ship repi)rted  that  they  had  retained  the 
names  of  48  children  to  be  educated  at 
public  expense,  out  of  a  list  of  62  who  had 
previously  received  free  instruction  sent  to 
I  hem  by  the  County  Commissioners;  the 
Directors  from  Lower  Dublin  reported 
34  names,  having  made  no  change  iu 
the  Commissioners'  list;  the  Directors 
from  Byberry  reported  20  names,  having 
cut  off  4;  the  Directors  from  Morelaud 
reported  IG  names,  having  struck  off  3 
from  the  list  sent  by  the  Commissioners, 
leaving  a  total  of  124  children  in  the 
Fifth  Section  to  receive  instrucLiou. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  '•Uesolved, 
That  $2.50  be  the  extent  of  the  price  for 
a  quarter's  schooling  within  the  Fifth 
Section,  or  as  much  less  as  can  be  con- 
tracted for,  besides  the  expenses  of  sta- 
tionery incident  thereto."  The  instruc- 
tion was  to  include  reading,  writing  and 
arithmetic— probably  the  fundamental 
rules. 

By  an  early  ruling  of  the  B(iard  teach- 
ers were  at  first  obliged  to  qualify  to  the 
correctness  of  their  bills  before  a  Justice 

98 


of  tile  Poaot*.  'I'his  rule  was  nnHliliiMl 
afterwanl  and  bills  were  received  \i\«>u 
tlie  <erlifR-atioii  of  (lie  leaelier  and  two 
subscribers  tu  tlic  scluml,  or  two  cif  tiie 
Iruslees  of  schools,   wlicre  these  existed. 

r.efore  the  end  of  Nuveinlier  it  was 
estimated  that  the  bills  for  schnolin^ 
from  Aiijiiist  10  to  the  close  of  the  sch<i«d 
year  would  amomit  to  $.'i;>4,  und  the 
Board  resolved  that  an  order  should  be 
drawn  iipim  the  county  treasurer 
for  the  sum  of  !?4<X),  ami  si;;ned  by  all 
the  membois  [jrescnt.  in  favor  of  Nathan 
llari»er,  treasurer  of  the  Board. 

The  first  payments  by  the  treasurer 
were  us  follows,  the  bills  including  some 
thai  had  been  contracted  for  by  the  Com- 
missioners prior  to  An^'usl   10  :  — 

For  Oxford  Township ."fl.-O..'?!) 

Lower  Dublin     "      r,4.yr»i/.. 

By  berry  "  71.77  V.' 

Moreland  "  '-'LMU) 

Total    $30U.7li 

It  was  also  ordered  at  the  November 
meeting  that  the  treasurer  pay  to  the 
secretary  $3.50,  the  cost  of  the  minute- 
book  of  the  Board.  This  book  still  ex- 
ists, in  good  condition,  after  many  years 
of  .service. 

Within  a  year  from  the  date  of  the  oi>- 
ganizatiou  of  the  Board  the  following- 
named  persons  were  paid  for  teaching 
children  assigned  to  tlnir  respective 
schools: 

In  Oxford  Township — Samuel  Jlorrow, 
Robert  Wrixson,  'ITiomas  Boyle.  John 
liupert,  Mary  S.  Erwin,  Anne  Kester, 
Sarah    Glenn,    Kthan    Wilson. 

In  Lower  Dublin— John  Saul,  Thom.is 
Shallcross,  William  Maddock,  Jtdin 
Wri-ht.  William  Rupert,  Elizabeth  Hel- 
viston,   William   Wright, 

In  r.ybeiry  Township— John  Dickinson. 

99 


Jacob  Liikens,  Joseph  Wilson,  Alice 
Ward,  Jesse  Moore,  George  W.  Duffleld. 

In  Moreland— Henry  Dyre,  Thomas 
Samm,  Jr.,   Samuel   Helviston. 

Before  the  close  of  1819  Isaac  Shall- 
cross  was  teaching  a  private  school  in 
Frankford,  and  Aaron  Ivius,  long  after- 
ward principal  of  the  Friends'  Central 
School,  at  Fifteenth  and  Roce  streets, 
was  named  as  a  teacher  at  Byberry. 

The  bills  presented  by  the  teachers 
during  1819  amounted  to  yarious  sums, 
from  $216.46  paid  to  Samuel  Morrow,  of 
the  Frankford  Academy,  in  Oxford 
Township,  to  $1.65,  paid  to  Ethan  Wil- 
son, of  the  Washington  School,  near  Ox- 
ford Church,  in  the  same  township. 

In  February,  1819,  the  Directors  de- 
cided that  no  char.!j;e  of  more  than  30 
cents  per  quarter  for  pens,  ink  and 
paper  would  be  allowed  hereafter  for 
writing  scholars,  "and  that  not  to  be 
charged  collectively,  but  to  each  scholar's 
name  individually." 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  public  house  of 
the  Widow  Snyder,  at  Bustleton  on  Jan- 
uary 4,  1819,  it  was  resolved  "to  hold  alter- 
nate meetings  of  the  Directors  at  Holmes- 
burg  and  Bustleton,  for  the  transaction  of 
their  business  in  the  future"  and  the  day 
was  changed  from  the  first  Monday  to 
the  last  Monday  of  the  month. 

The  practice  of  meeting  alternately  at 
Holmesburg  and  Bustleton  was  kept  up 
fott"  many  years  The  school  directors 
represented  a  large  and  scattered  dis- 
trict and  various  local  interests,  and  the 
majority  of  them  drove  many  miles  to 
reach  the  place  of  meeting.  After  the 
business  of  the  month  had  been  attended 
to  it  was  the  custom  to  adjourn  to  the 
dining  room,  where  a  pleasant  hour  was 
passed  in  the  discussion  of  the  general 
questions  of  the  day — political,  social, 
100 


agricultural,  etc.,  and  in  tho  pujoynicnt 
ol"  the  pjod  flieer  of  Hit-  liouso.  At  a 
imetiiij;  iii  1S12  a  rt'sohitJDn  was  ofTiTed, 
proposing  "tliat  in  fnturt'  no  refrpahments 
shall  be  servoil  to  tin-  Hoanl  of  Directors, 
wliii-li  aro  to  be  puid  for  out  of  the  pulilir 
fmitls."  The  jt-as  ami  unys  weiv  called, 
and  llie  niotiou  was  I'lsl,  ami  for  nearly 
Imlr  a  century  longer  the  I  >ireotors  con- 
liniu'd  to  enjoy  their  social  gatheringa, 
and  "the  cup  that  cheers  but  not  inebri- 
ates." 

nisa.ijrefinents  very  soon  ofcnrred  be- 
tween the  outlyini;  sectional  boards  nml 
the  city  and  county  authorili'-s  in  refer- 
ence to  the  amount  of  money  spent  by 
the  former  for  the  schooling  of  children 
in  their  sections.  It  was  charged  That 
ill  ilie  mitlying  sections  a  too  liberal  inter- 
pretation was  given  to  the  expression, 
"Children  entitled  to  be  taught  at  the 
ptiblie  expense,"  used  in  the  law,  and 
also  that  too  uiiuli  was  paid  ii'r  iiui)il. 

The  question  was  carried  to  the  Legis- 
lature and  by  a  special  act  of  January 
2o,  IS'Jl,  the  authority  to  distribute  mon- 
eys for  the  education  of  children  at  the 
public  expense  in  the  First  School  District 
w:is  given  to  the  ISoard  of  Controllers  of 
Public  Schools.  I'y  the  same  act  the  sec- 
tional boards  of  the  outlying  townships* 
were  required  to  furnish  to  the  Koard  of 
Control,  aiuuially,  on  or  before  the  first 
day  of  February,  an  estimate  of  the 
amount  of  nnmey  they  might  de«'m  neces- 
sary to  pay  the  expenses  of  their  respec- 
tive sections,  for  the  ensuing  year.  They 
were  further  required  "to  transmit  all 
sectional  accounts  ti*  the  Controllers,  who 
shall  draw  orders  on  the  county  treasurer 
for  the  same."  'llie  payment  of  teachers 
in  the  outlying  districts  was  thus  taken 
from  the  School  Directors  and  trans- 
ferred   to  the   Board   of  Controllers. 

lUl 


The  Controllers  at  once  adopted  a 
regulation  fixing  the  price  of  tuition  in 
sections  not  using  the  Lancasterian  sys- 
tem at  ip2.25  per  quartei-,  embracing 
every  charge,  and  congratulated  them- 
selves that  "the  public  treasure  would 
be  much  economized  without  circum- 
scribing the  opportunity  for  instruction." 

This  action  of  the  Board  of  Controllers 
caused  great  dissatisfaction,  the  rural 
School  Boards  claiming  that  they  did  not 
receive  from  the  Board  of  Control  the 
amount  they  were  entitled  by  law  to 
draw  from  the  county  treasury.  In  1822, 
the  Directors  of  the  Fifth  Section  appeal- 
ed for  an  increased  allowance,  and  in  an 
address  to  the  Board  of  Controllers  gave 
an  account  of  the  opening  of  a  school  at 
P^rankford,  in  Oxford  township,  in  1821, 
which  had  an  attendance  in  1822  of  5.5 
children,  taught  at  a  cost  of  .$G  per  an- 
num per  pupil,  including  tuition,  rent, 
firewood  and  stationery.  "In  other 
places,"  they  stated,  "the  children  are 
placed  at  schools  in  the  neighborhood,  at 
the  customary  rate.s,  for  they  cannot  be 
instructed  on  other  terms."  The  Direc- 
tors also  claimed  that  they,  and  they 
only,  under  the  law  of  1818,  had  the 
right  to  determine  to  what  schools  the 
childi'en  should  be  sent. 

The  matter  was  appealed  to  the  Su- 
preme Court,  and  a  decision  rendered  in 
1823,  declared  that  "the  Board  of  Con- 
trollers are  not  bound  to  draw  orders 
for  the  expenses  of  tuition,  if  in  their 
opinion  such  expenses  are  greater  than 
they  ought  to  be,  and  higher  than  is 
charged  in  other  sections  for  the  same 
service;  and  that  by  the  Special  Act  of 
1821  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Directors 
of  those  sections  that  did  not  have  the 
Lancasterian  system,  and  consequently 
not  directly  under  the  Controllers,  to  ex- 
102 


Hiiiiiie  tlioir  ucrounts  mnl  so-  llint  llicy 
piiy  no  inor»'  per  fiipilu  for  ti'iicliinc  than 
18  paid  |ji>r  c-apilu  iiiuItT  tlic  LaiKtislcriuii 
system." 

This  (it'cisimi  of  tlic  Siipri'inc  Court 
was  sent  to  the  Directors  of  ihe  oiillyiiifc 
sections,  and  at  a  lueetiiiK.  held  Febru- 
ary 24,  18li:!.  the  Directors  of  the  Fifth 
Section  passid  a  resohition  to  inform 
school  masters  and  other  teaehers  that 
they  could  not  in  the  future  iillow  niort- 
than  $l!.'J.">  per  capita  for  any  scholar,  in- 
cluding stationery.  The  (luestioii  rested 
fo"  a    time,   Init   it   was  not  settled. 

Early  in  18'_'1  lli.-  I'.nard  of  Directors 
decided  to  estahlish  a  free  scho(d  in 
l'>anUford,  at  which  all  the  children  of 
the  neighborhood  educated  at  the  public 
expense  might  be  taught.  They  rentetl 
for  the  piirixise  the  two-story  stone 
building  still  standing  on  the  east  side 
of  Fraukford  avenue,  above  Foulkrod 
street,  now  divided  into  two  dwellings. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  held  April 
2,  1821,  the  members  from  Oxford  re- 
ported that  thi-y  had  agreed  with  Isaac 
Shallcross,  a  teacher  in  Frankford,  to 
instruct  all  the  children  at  i)iiblic  ex- 
pense in  said  Borough  and  its  vicinity 
fur  the  yearly  allowance  of  $2r»(),  and 
that  they  had  rented  a  school  building 
for  $^2  per  annum,  for  which  some  fur- 
niture would  be  necessarj-  About  the 
same  time  a,  bill  for  $9.8-1  was  present- 
ed by  Jacob  T.csher.  for  boards,  scant- 
ling and  work  done  at  the  county  school- 
honse,  in  P'rankford. 

The  first  »inarter's  rent  was  i)aid  to 
James  Dyre,  but  later  f<ir  many 
years  the  rent  was  collected  by  Nathan 
Harper. 

The  school  must  have  been  opened  in 
the  summer  of  1821,  as  a  bill  for  three 
mouths'  teaching  was  sent  to  the  Board 
103 


by   Isaac   Shallcross   in  October. 

In  1821,  Benjamin  and  Thomas  Kite 
presented  a  bill  for  $10.37i  for  books  and 
stationery  furnished  to  Isaac  Shallcross's 
School.  In  1825,  another  bill  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Thomas  Kite  for  stationery, 
etc.,  for  the  school  amounted  to  $13.67, 
and  Abraham  Duffield  and  Son  present- 
ed a  bill  of  $12.17i  for  firewood. 

This  was  our  first  free  school.  It  was 
nlways  referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Board  as  "the  public  school"  and  Isaac 
Shallcross  was  known  as  the  "master  of 
the  public  school  at  Frankford."  It  was 
maintained  and  was  taught  by  Isaac 
Shallcross  until  1S37.  when  all  salaried 
schools  under  the  Board  were  dropped 
for  a  time. 

On  September  30,  1822.  there  were 
fifty-five  children  in  the  school.  In  July, 
1823,  sixty  were  enrolled,  and  the 
master's  salary  was  raised  to  .$.'iO().  A 
list  of  articles  fiwnished  to  the  school 
that  year  by  the  Directors  includes  slate 
pencils,   copy   books   and   quills. 

In  1833  Isaac  Shallcross  applied  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  for  permission  to 
change  the  system  of  teaching  in  his 
ychool,  apparently  wishing  to  adopt  the 
Lancasterian  plan.  His  request  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Board  of  Controllers,  but 
there  seems  to  be  no  record  of  a  re- 
ply. By  that  time  the  weakness  of  the 
Lancasterian  system  was  generally  rec- 
ognized, and  probably  no  action  was  tak- 
en by  the  Board  of  Controllers  iu  refer- 
ence to  it. 

The  pupil-teacher  or  monitorial  plan  of 
instruction,  known  as  the  Lancasterian 
system,  had  l)een  introduced  iu  England 
in  1797  by  Andrew  Bell.  The  plan  was 
improved  by  Joseph  Lancaster,  and 
early  in  the  century  it  was  adopted  in 
certain  schools  in  London,  commending 
104 


itsplf  both  ill  EnKlaiitl  niul  in  Amerira 
li<»taiist'  of  the  siii.iU  o.\|n'ii(liliin'  of 
uioiif.v  rfriuircil  to  carry  it  on.  It  pro- 
vided for  II  ri'Kuiariy  organized  iiioni- 
toriul  system.  Tlicre  were  monitors  to 
knej)  nnier  ami  monitors  to  assist  in 
teacliin^,  tlie  older  and  more  advanced 
pui)ils  being  required  to  teach  the 
yoiinirer  that  whieli  they  had  learned 
themselves.  The  whole  work  of  the 
silund  was  supposed  to  be  .superintended 
by  the  master  or  teacher,  who  gave  in- 
.«;tructioii  to  llie  older  pupils  und  laid 
out    the    work    for   the    monitors. 

Tlie  advocates  of  the  system  claiiuod 
that  as  the  iutellectual  attainments  of 
tlie  niouitor  were  not  Kre.'itly  in  a'lvance 
of  his  companions,  be  would  be  better 
able  to  explain  the  lessons  to  their  un- 
derstanding than  H  teacher,  who  was 
very  considerably  beyond  them  in  knowl- 
edge. The  theory  seemed  plausible  to 
those  who  thought  of  education  merely 
as  a  process  of  pouring  knowledge  into 
the  mind,  and  the  plan  had  the  great 
advantage  of  being  cheap.  When  the 
system  was  adopted  by  law  in  Pennsyl- 
vania one  teacher,  aided  by  monitors 
from  among  his  own  p\ipils,  was  con- 
sidered sufBcient  for  the  care  and  in- 
struction of  3<X)  children,  and  in  some 
instances  the  number  is  said  to  have 
reached   .")(»<». 

To  cany  out  the  .system  special  class- 
rooms  were  necessary,  twice  as  long  as 
they  were  wide,  the  middle  of  the  room 
being  furnished  with  parallel  rows  of 
desks.  A  space  about  six  feet  wide  was 
left  around  the  walls  of  the  room,  and 
this  was  divided  into  smaller  spaces  by 
curved  bands  of  metal  set  into  the  floor. 
A  class  when  taught  by  the  monitor  stood 
within  this  curved  space  facing  the  pupil 
teacher.  The  raised  platform  at  one 
105 


end  of  the  room,  from  which  all  direc- 
tions were  given  by  the  master  and  the 
whole  class  conld  be  inspected,  is  said 
to  have  been '  originated  by  Lancaster. 
The  public  schools  in  Pennsylvania  were 
required  by  law  to  employ  the  Lancas- 
terian  system  until  the  passage  of  the 
Act  of  lS3tJ,  which  released  them  from 
the  trammels  of  this  very  crude  plan  of 
instruction. 

During  the  years  following  the  decision 
of  1823  the  differences  between  the  va- 
rious school  authorities  in  reference  to 
the  amount  of  money  necessary  for  car- 
rying on  the  work  of  education  were 
revived.  In  October,  1830,  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Fifth  Section  ap- 
pealed to  the  Board  of  Controllers  for 
money  to  purchase  necessary  books  and 
stationery,  "the  parents  being  either  loo 
jioor  to  too  negligent  to  supply  these  ar- 
ticles," stating  that  in  their  opin- 
ion the  intentions  of  the  law  were  en- 
tirely frustrated,  and  a  wasteful  expen- 
diture of  the  public  money  took  place  in 
consequence  of  these  deficiencies.  The 
appeal  goes  on  to  say.  "the  inhabitants 
of  this  section  liave  individually  con- 
tributed to  the  ei'ection  and  keeping  in 
repair  of  the  schoolhouses  by  which  the 
public  scholars  are  accommodated  (two 
instances  in  Frankford  excepted)  and  at 
the  same  time  have  paid  their  due  pro- 
portion of  the  county  rates  for  the  erec- 
tion of  public  schoolhouses  in  this  school 
district,  from  which  they  can  derive  no 
benefit." 

The  comparative  cost  of  teaching  pu- 
pils under  the  Lancasterian  system  and 
in  private  schools  taught  on  the  other 
))lan  continued  to  be  a  .subject  frequent- 
ly discussed  by  the  Board  of  Controllers. 
In  a  report  of  February  21,  1831,  Rob- 
erts   Vaux,    president    of    the    Board    of 

106 


Control,  stntfd  that  tlip  Jinntinl  rost  of 
encli  pupil  tiuii;lil  on  tlic  monitorial  plati 
v:is  lour  dollars,  whili-  Ihe  <"ost  pi-r  pu- 
pil ill  (he  sections  in  which  teachiiiK  was 
pivfn  in  private  schools  was  from  d-n  to 
twelve  dollars  per  annum. 

By  an  Act  of  Asscnddy  of  April  1, 
1S.11,  ilif  r.oards  of  Directors  of  the  out- 
l.vinj;  sections  were  a\itliorized  to  elect 
representatives  in  the  I'.oard  of  School 
Controllers  of  the  City  and  County  of 
riiihidelphia,  one  representative  being 
alhnved  to  each  of  the  outer  sec- 
tions, anil  by  the  same  Act  the 
education  of  children  at  i)id»lic  expense 
in  these  sections  was  placed  under  the 
Keneral  direction  of  the  I»oard  of  Con- 
trollers. 

In  pursuance  of  this  Act,  on  April  2~t, 
18.'}!,   .Tonathan   Thomas  ,  of  Lower  Dub- 
lin, was  elected  by  the  Directors  to  rep- 
resent the  Fifth  Section  in  the  Board  of 
Controllers. 

Mr.  Thomas  was  re-elected  from  year 
to  year,  until  December,  1836,  when  he 
resigned,  and  Francis  J.  Harper,  of  Ox- 
ford Township,  was  chosen  to  succeed 
him.  ^Ir.  Harper  lived  only  a  few  weeks 
after  his  election.  On  March  27,  1837, 
John  Foulkrod,  of  Frankford,  Oxford 
Township,  was  elected  to  till  the  vacancy 
(Uiisod  hy  the  death  of  Mr.  Harper. 

Mr.  Foulkrod  had  been  a  member  of 
the  IJoard  of  l)irectoi-s  since  April,  IM'JG, 
and  had  represented  the  district  iu  the 
Slate  Legislature  from  time  to  time  since 
1820.  In  the  year  1838,  he  was  a  ineiu- 
her  of  the  Constitutional  Convention, 
and  took  an  active  part  in  the  work  of 
that  body.  He  was  re-elected  a  niemher 
of  the  Hoard  of  Controllers  annually, 
until  1844,  and  coiitituied  in  the  School 
Board  of  the  Kiftb  Section  until  1S.'>1, 
The  Hon.  William  W.  Foulkrod,  our 
107 


pref5ent  representative  in  Congress,  is 
his  grandson. 

The  number  of  children  applying  for 
free  instruction  increased  from  year  to 
year.  In  1827,  Strickland  Foster,  school 
master  at  Holmesburg,  offered  to  teach 
all  the  "free  children"  within  two  miles 
of  his  school  for  ^150  a  year,  and  his 
offer  was  accepted  as  the  cheapest  way 
to  provide  "Free  Education"  in  that  com- 
munity. In  1830  a  room  was  rented  in 
the  Frankford  Academy  from  "Robert 
and  Samuel  Huckel,  representing  the 
Methodist  Society,"  for  $30  a  year,  and 
the  master  there  became  a  salaried  teach- 
er. But  the  majority  of  the  children  of 
the  section  were  taught  in  neighborhood 
private  schools  and  were  paid  for  by  the 
quarter,  at  the  rate  of  $2.25  each,  includ- 
ing stationery. 

The  yearly  amounts  paid  out  of  the 
County  Treasury,  from  1818  to  1831,  for 
the  education  of  children  in  the  Fifth 
Section,  were  as  follows: 

1818   $320.90 

1819  (approximately)     800.00 

1820     1269.87 

1821    674.05 

1822  910.29 

1823  884.99 

1824  91(J.02 

1825  1112.18 

182F. 1013.25 

1827 1080.29 

1828 1195.87 

1829  1103.33 

1830 1419.78 

1831   1305.39 

Total    $14,006.21 

The   following   is  a  detailed   record  of 
expenses  for  the  year  1829: 
Pay   to     18     teachers    (15    males,    and 
108 


?,  fomalps)   ?l()in.40 

Kt'iit   for  scliiiol    iKMi'it'.M    «U».tHJ 

Stalidiu'iy    aiid   siiiidrit's    T.'jII 

Fufl   --.'X> 

Total    $l.o:'..33 

Meanwhile  thero  was  a  growiiij;  feeliiiK 
of  dissatisfaction  in  Philadclpliiti  utjd 
tliroUKliont  the  Slate  with  the  Sohooi  Act 
i)l'  iSlS,  which  prryyidi'd  "free  eduoalinn" 
only  for  the  childreu  of  the  poor.  lu 
the  year  1833.  in  the  entire  State,  less 
than  L'4.000  cliildren  attended  school  at 
p\ildic  expense,  and  niost  of  these  were 
tanj^ht    by    incompetent    teachers. 

It  was  the  general  opinion  that  the 
various  attempts  to  etliicate  poor  chil- 
dren at  public  expense,  either  in  schools 
with  other  children  or  in  schools  by  them- 
selves, had  failed.  Class  distinctions 
were  aroused.  Tlie  children  were  spoken 
of  as  "panpers."  and  the  schools  they 
attended  were  called  "pauper  schools." 
Many  poor  parents  kei)t  fheir  children 
at  home  rather  than  send  them  to  school 
where  they  were  likely  to  be  looked  down 
upon  as  inferiors,  by  the  children  of  their 
better  circumstanced  neighbors.  On  the 
other  hand,  u  large  and  increasing  num- 
ber of  tax-payinpr  citizens  maintained  that 
ill  childreu  alike,  without  distinction,  had 
a  right  to  the  education  paid  for  out  of 
the  public  taxes,  and  they  claimed  this 
right    fur   their   own   children. 

It  svas  a  period  of  public  debate  when 
individual  manhood  rights  and  the  social 
and  political  duties  of  citizens  of  a  repub- 
lic, and  their  preparation  for  these  duties 
w  ere  everywhere  di.scussed.  and  the  school 
question  soon  became  one  of  the  most 
important  questions  of  the  time.  In  IS'JT 
the  "I'enn.sylvania  Society  for  the  Pro- 
motion of  Public  Schools"  was  organized 
iu  Philadelphia,  its  |inrpose  being  to  fur- 
109 


ther  the  establishment  of  free  public  ele- 
mentary education  throughout  the  Com- 
monwealth. This  society,  made  up  of  en- 
thusiastic educational  reformers,  held 
public  meetings,  issued  pamphlets,  corre- 
sponded with  leading  men  in  all  parts  of 
the  State,  and  again  and  again  appealed 
to  the  Legislature  in  behalf  of  a  system 
of  public  schools  adequate  to  the  Trants 
of  the  rapidly  increasing  population.  A 
free  school  system  was  advocated  by  Gov- 
ernor Wolf,  in  every  annual  message 
from  18.31  to  1834,  and  the  subject  in 
some  form,  came  up  for  discussion  at 
every  session  of  the  Legislature  during 
that  period. 

The  movement  met  with  opposition 
from  many  who  had  advocated  free  char- 
ity schools,  on  the  ground  that  it  was 
wrong  to  spend  public  money  for  the 
support  of  common  schools;  and  others 
argued  that  as  the  Constitution  of  the 
State  made  mention  only  of  the  free  edu- 
cation of  children  of  the  poor  no  law 
providing  for  general  public  education 
could  be  passed.  In  1834  the  Supreme 
Court  decided  that  in  making  the  free 
education  of  one  class  of  children  obliga- 
tory, the  Constitution  did  not  forbid  the 
estabhshment  of  schools  in  which  all  the 
children  of  the  Commonwealth,  without 
distinction,  might  be  taught. 

At  the  opening  of  the  session  of  the 
Legislature  of  1833-34,  upon  the  motion 
of  Samuel  Breck,  a  member  of  the  Sen- 
ate from  Philadelphia,  a  joint  commit- 
tee, composed  of  members  of  the  Senate 
and  House,  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
bill  for  the  establishment  of  a  system 
of  general  education  for  the  Common- 
wealth. After  some  delay  incident  to 
the  preparation  of  so  important  a  meas- 
ure, a  bill  was  framed,  entitled  "An  Act 
to  Establish  a  General  System  of   Edu- 

110 


cntlou  by  Cuinmon  Scliools."  This  bill 
Mils  ui-ct'pfeil  by  both  Ilouses  iiiid  wuh 
hiiully  passod  by  a  iieiuly  uiiaiiiuious 
vole  on  April  1,  1831. 

For  vurions  local  and  ptTHonal  n^nsonH, 
difTtTJiig  in  different  coiumnnitiea,  tbe 
new  Si-hool  Law  met  wilii  (ipi)osition  in 
all  parts  of  tbe  State.  At  tbe  next  ses- 
Kion  of  tbe  Legislature  a  bitter  contest 
took  place  between  tbe  free  .scbool  men 
and  tbe  anti-free  scbool  men,  but  the 
most  determined  efforts  of  the  latter  to 
repeal  tbe  Sclmol  Law  failed.  Early  in 
IS.'J.j  Ibe  bill,  witb  certain  amendinents, 
was  broiigbt  np'ajjnin,  and  in  April  of 
tbat  year  was  passed.  Tbe  amended  law 
still  contained  many  defects,  and  in  tbe 
followini,'  year.  lS.';tJ,  it  was  further  re- 
vised, so  as  to  adai)t  it  to  the  needs  and 
conditions  of  tbe  entire  Coninionwealtb, 
nnd  a  bill  entitled  "An  Act  to  Consolidate 
and  Amend  tbe  Several  Acts  Relative  to 
u  (leneral  System  of  Education  by  Com- 
mun  Scbdols"  (lassed  both  Ilouses  and 
was  sitjned  by  Governor  Kimer.  Our 
present  system  of  common  scbools  is 
founded  upon  this  A<'t  of  lS?tG. 

Tbe  most  important  provisions  of  the 
Legislatif)n  of  18.'M-18;tO  atTectinu;  educa- 
tion  in   IMiiladelpbia   were  the  following: 

1.  It  made  possible  the  establishment 
of  free  public  elementary  s<'hools.  sup- 
ported out  of  public  funds,  for  all  chil- 
dren  alike. 

2.  It  repealed  tbe  provision  of  the  law 
of  1818,  which  made  tbe  Laiuasterian 
system   obligatory    in    IMiiladelpbia. 

.'{.  It  made  possible,  by  interpreta- 
tion, tbe  establishment  of  seiiar.-ite  schools 
for  younger  and  older  pupils— infant  and 
grammar  schools — from  which  our  pres- 
ent graded  elementary  hcIiooI  system 
grew. 

4.     By  a  special  provision  Philadelphiti 

111 


^\■as  authorized  to  establish  a  "Central 
High  School  for  the  full  education  of 
8uch  pupils  of  the  public  schools  of  the 
First  School  District  as  may  possess  the 
requisite  qualifications."  This  provision 
is  the  fundamental  authority  for  all  edu- 
cation above  that  of  the  elementary 
schools,  in  connection  with  our  public 
Bchool  system. 

5.  School  boards  in  townships  and 
boroughs  were  made  elective  by  the  peo- 
ple. 

6.  The  power  to  select  and  appoint 
teachers  was  vested  in  the  township  und 
borough  (or  sectional)   school  boards. 

7.  An  annual  State  appropriation  for 
the  erection  and  support  of  schools  was 
provided  for,  to  be  paid  to  all  the  coun- 
ties of  the  State  in  which  the  schools 
should  be  kept  open  for  the  full  term 
required  by  law,  according  to  the  num- 
ber of  their  taxable  citizens. 

8.  The  power  to  purchase  or  rent 
property  for  school  purposes  and  to  make 
appropriations  of  money  for  any  use  what- 
ever in  connection  with  the  schools  was 
restricted  to  the  Board  of  Controllers. 

The  law  of  1830  also  provided  for  a 
Superintendent  of  Common  Schools,  com- 
bining the  oflSce  with  that  of  Secretary 
of  the  Commonwealth. 

By  a  later  enactment,  in  1840,  School 
Directors  were  authorized,  either  of  them- 
selves or  with  the  aid  of  some  compe- 
tent person  employed  by  them  for  the 
purpose,  to  examine  persons  offering 
themselves  as  school  teachers  and  to 
grant  to  successful  applicants  "  certifi- 
cates of  competency  to  teach." 


112 


The  Common  Schools. 

'I'lif  passaKi*  "f  llh'  Aft  of  1S.'{(;  pro- 
duced no  iiimnMliiitf  iiiiprovi'mpiit  in  the 
systtin  of  piihlir  instrnction  i[i  llif  I'iflh 
Sf<'lion.  Tlie  scope  of  its  provisions  wa.s 
not  clearly  undcrstooil  at  tirst  by  those 
whose  duty  it  was  to  enforce  tlie  law, 
and  the  Hoard  of  Controllers  and  Sec- 
tional lioards  roiild  not  provide  acroin- 
niodatiuiis  for  the  larKO  number  of  chil- 
dren who  at  once  applied  for  public  edu- 
cation. 

In  the  city  the  I.ancasterian  system — 
a  system  without  teachers  and  without 
books — was  jri^cu  up  firadually,  as  inouey 
became  available  for  the  organization  of 
schools  under  a  principal  and  assistant 
teachers.  One  of  the  first  chanjies  was 
the  partial  grading  of  the  schools  by  the 
opeuing  of  infant  or  primary  schools. 
Separate  grammar  schools  were  establish- 
ed under  men  and  women  priucipals,  for 
older  boys  and  girls,  and  the  Board  of 
Controllers  resolved  to  try  the  experi- 
ment of  "mingling  female  teachers  with 
the  male  assistants  in  boys'  schools,  hop- 
ing thereby  to  obtain  the  peculiar  bene- 
fits to  be  derived  from  the  presence  of 
females  in  every  school."  After  careful 
observation  the  experiment  was  declared 
a  success. 

In  1887,  to  reduce  expenses  and  make 
provision  for  all  the  children  aplying  for 
public  education,  the  Board  of  Directors 
(if  the  Fifth  Section  resolved  to  give  up 
the  three  salaried  schools  in  the  section, 
one  at  Ilolmesburg  and  two  in  Frank- 
ford,  and  to  adopt  a  general  plan  of  pay- 
ing for  instruction  per  cajtita,  at  the  rate 
of  three  cents  a  day  for  each  day  of 
actual  attendance. 

Before  the  end  of  the  year  the  "Frank- 
ford    Public    School,"   which      had      been 

113 


taught  by  Isaac  Sballcross  since  1821, 
■was  closed,  and  the  room  in  the  Frank- 
ford  Academy,  rented  in  1830,  was  given 
up. 

Under  the  new  conditions  the  number 
of  paid  teachers  in  the  section  was  great- 
ly increased,  and  in  some  places  new 
schools  for  "public  scholars"  were  open- 
ed by  private  teachers.  The  estimated 
cost  of  tuition  for  the  year  1840  was 
$7000,  and  that  amount  was  asked  for 
by  the  Directors,  but  the  Board  of  Con- 
trollers appropriated  only  ,$4000  for  the 
entire  section.  The  School  Directors  re- 
duced the  price  paid  for  teaching  to  two 
cents  a  day  per  capita,  and  from  the  be- 
ginning of  July  the  schools  were  closed, 
or  all  pupils  withdrawn  for  three  months. 
The  arrangement  was  unsatisfactory  to 
parents  and  directors. 

The  closing  of  the  "Frankford  Public 
School,"  caused  great  dissatisfaction 
among  the  people.  On  Christmas  Day, 
1837,  a  public  meeting  was  held  to  dis- 
euss  the  lack  of  school  facilities  in  the 
borough,  at  which  Isaac  Whitelaek,  Dr. 
S.  Pickering,  Samuel  S.  Griscom  and  Jo- 
seph Walmsley  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  on  the  Board  of  Directors 
of  Public  Schools  of  the  Section,  "to  re- 
port to  them  "the  destitute  condition  of 
this  part  of  the  section  with  regard  to 
suitable  schools  and  opportunities  for 
schooling,"  and  to  urge  them  to  secure 
money  for  the  erection  of  a  school  house 
Ih  Frankford  as  early  as  possible.  A 
balance  of  money  was  said  to  be  due  to 
the  section  from  the  Board  of  Controll- 
ers, and  it  was  thought  that  this  might 
be  olitaiaed  for  the  new*  school. 

The  differences  between  the  Sectional 
Board  and  the  Board  of  Controllers  in 
reference  to  the  amounts  appropriated 
from  year  to  year  for  the  use  of  the  sec- 

114 


tion  still  cniitimied.  lu  l"'ebruary,  18^8, 
a  foiiitiniiiicalion  vvus  neul  liy  lite  Buurd 
of  ControllerB  to  all  the  cnitlyin>;  aections, 
iu  whifli  it  was  st;itfj  that  uppruprin- 
tioiis  had  beeu  made  to  tlie  outer  secliouH 
acoordiug  to  the  amount  of  taxes  paid 
)>>  (hose  sections,  aud  that  future  ap- 
propriations would  he  made  upon  this  ha- 
^18,  and  that  ail  State  K>°antM  would  he 
distributed  iu  llie  same  ratio.  They 
ftlainu'd  the  ri>;ht,  however,  to  distribute 
uuexpeuded  balauces,  towards  the  end 
y>(  the  year,  as  they  might  think  best  tor 
all    the   sections. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  School  I'oard,  held 
Aiiril  oO,  ISoS,  Mr.  Foulkrod  otteied  a 
resolution  requesliuu  that  he  be  instruct- 
ed to  ask  the  Board  of  Controllers  for 
an  appropriation  of  money  for  the  pur- 
<•lia.se  of  a  school  lot  in  Frankford  and 
the  eri'ciion  of  a  sch<jol  building  there- 
on. The  resolution  was  adopted  unani- 
mously. But  the  Board  of  Controllers 
was  hampered  for  want  of  means,  as 
the  State  appropriation  was  not  yet  avail- 
able, ami  the  city  had  not  received  her 
share  of  the  money  paid  to  the  State  for 
liie  use  of  schools  by   the  United  States 

Ciovernment,  in  the  distribution  of  the 
surplus  revenue  in  the  nati(nial  treasury 
in  IS'JT.  The  api)ropriatiou  was,  there- 
fore, aelayed. 

Til  1840,  $4.")0<)  was  appropriated  fur  a 
school  in  Frankford,  but  the  money  could 
not  be  drawn  until  the  following  year. 
The  amount  wa.s  afterwarcl.s  increased  to 
$t>.'>(XI.  In  .\pril,  1841,  a  special  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  consisting  of  Col. 
Thom.is  W.  Duftield,  Josejih  Deal  and 
Samuel  Wakeling,  to  meet  a  committee 
of  the  Board  of  Controllers  iu  reference 
to  the  selection  of  a  site  for  the  school. 
The  plot  of  ground  on  the  north  side  of 
Sellers  slrcLt,  on  which  the  Marshull 
115 


School  stands,  was  purchased  from  Isaac 
Worrell,  and  thf:  woil:  of  building  the 
new  school   was  soon  begun. 

As  time  passed,  the  School  Directors  of 
the  Fifth  Section  and  the  people  in  general 
awoke  gradually  to  the  fact  that  the  sys- 
tem of  paying  for  the  public  education 
of  children  per  capita  in  private  schools 
was  not  in  accord  with  the  spirit  '"f  the 
School  Act  of  183G. 

In  January,  18-11,  a  committee  of  the 
Board  was  appointed  to  inquire  into 
the  defects  of  the  system,  and  to  report 
at  tbe  next  meeting  upon  the  c-.pedieucy 
of  establishing  salaried  schools  wherever 
practical,  and  such  other  improvements  as 
might  be  deemed  necessary.  The  com- 
mittee consisted  of  John  Foulkrod  and 
Charles  Shallcross,  of  Oxford  Town- 
ship; Joseph  Wilson  and  Robert  Barnes, 
of  Lower  Dublin;  Charles  Walmsley,  of 
Byberry;  and  Jacob  Saurman,  of  More- 
land. 

The  committee  reported  that  they  con- 
sidered it  not  only  expedient,  but  neces- 
sary to  salary  the  teachers  of  the  sec- 
tion, in  such  districts  as  would  best  ac- 
commodate the  public;  and  that  in  their 
opinion  "it  would  be  a  great  saving  of 
expense  and  produce  better  results  than 
are  possible  under  the  per  diem  allow- 
ance." By  this  system,  too,  the  Directors 
would  have  the  right  to  withhold  the 
salary  of  any  teacher  whose  work  did 
not  prove  satisfactory. 

The  committee  classified  the  existing 
schools  in  the  different  townships  and 
recommended  that  certain  schools,  as 
conveniently  located  as  possible  under 
the  circumstances,  should  be  designated 
as  "salaried  schools,"  the  teachers  of 
which  should  have  a  fixed  salary,  the 
committee  determining  the  amount  in 
each  instance. 

116 


Fifteen  schools  nml  loncliers  wore  se- 
Icc'tnl  ill  nxfinil  'I 'o\viislii|i,  six  sthooh 
and  ten  tcai-liers  in  Lower  l)nl)lin,  iiiid 
ten  si-liools  and  teiulnT.s  in  r..\  l(eiTy  und 
Mnrehiml.  Most  uf  the  schools  c-hoseD, 
outsi(h'  iif  I'Viinkford.  were  ohl  nelKhbor- 
iiodd  schools  and  iic'!i<h'niies,  some  of 
whicli  iiad  been  eslaldished  early  in  the 
eentury,  while  others  were  in  existence 
before   the   Kevohitionary   War. 

The  report  also  provided  that  no  pupil 
sliiiiiM  be  admitted  to  a  salaried  school 
witboiit  an  order  from  one  of  the  Di- 
rectors, ami  th:it  no  cnild  should  be  sent 
to  any  scIidoI  oilier  than  those  desif,'nated. 
Payment  for  teaching.;  was  to  be  discon- 
tinued  ill  all  other  schools. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopt- 
ed by  the  Board,  and  steps  were  taken 
to   carry    out    its   provisions   at   once. 

\'i»;iliim'  (Diiimittees  were  n|>poiiited  to 
oversee  the  schools,  ainl  a  rule  was  pass- 
ed reipiirinK  the  teachers  to  send  to  the 
Board  a  iiuarterly  rejiort  showing  the 
names  of  .ill  pupils,  with  dates  of  ad- 
mi.ssion  and  the  niiiiiber  nf  days  of  iit- 
tendance. 

A    proposition    to    huld   an    e.\amination 
for  all   teachers  of  the  section,  to  deter- 
mini"    their    <iualificntions,    was    discussed 
ill  the  Hoard,  but  it    w;is  not   acted  upon 
at  that  time. 

In  July,  1S41.  tile  Board  of  Controll- 
ers made  an  allowance  of  '^CW  f«ir  sup- 
plip.s,  in  each  of  the  (Uitlying  sections, 
with  the  provision  that  no  money  should 
be  granted  to  any  scliool  whose  teacher 
or  teachers  had  not  been  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Directors.  The  sidtject  of 
the  selection  and  appointment  of  teach- 
ers of  the  common  schools  by  the  Direc- 
tors, as  required  by  the  Law  of  l.SJW, 
and    the   examination    of   teachers   to   de- 

117 


termiue  their  qualifications,  referred  to 
in  an  act  of  the  previous  year  (1840)  were 
tbiT'S  brought  to  tlie  attention  of  the 
School   Board. 

At  their  next  meeting  the  Directors 
asked  for  an  appropriation  for  the  renting 
or  purchase  of  school  buildings.  Ar- 
rangements were  now  begun  for  taking 
entire  charge  of  the  "salaried  schools." 

In  October,  1841,  committees  were  ap- 
pointed to  deal  with  the  Trustees  of  the 
Lower  Dublin  Academy,  and  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Bustleton  Academy,  respec- 
tiyely,  for  the  sole  coutrol  of  these 
schools  at  a  nominal  rent.  A  temporary 
agreement  was  reached  with  each  of  the 
Boards  of  Trustees,  and  in  February, 
1842,  steps  were  taken  to  have  the  Lower 
Dublin  Academy  fitted  up  as  a  public 
school,  and  to  secure  properly  qualified 
teachers. 

The  old  Holmesburg  Seminary  was 
rented  about  the  same  time,  and  a  pub- 
lic school  was  organized  in  Holmesburg. 

The  final  arrangements  between  the 
Board  of  Controllers  and  the  two  Boards 
of  Trustees  were  not  made  until  several 
years  later,  but  both  buildings  were 
used  for  public  schools  pending  these 
arrangements.  The  Lower  Dublin 
Academy  was  at  length  leased  to  the 
city  for  a  long  period,  at  a  nominal  rent, 
the  Board  of  Controllers  agreeing  to 
keep  the  property  in  repair.  The  Bustle- 
ton  Academy  property  was  finally  pur- 
chased by  the  Board  under  a  special  act 
of  the  Legislature,  in  February,  1854, 
The  Fayette  School  was  afterwards 
erected  there.  Meanwhile,  work  was 
going  on  at  the  school  in  Frankford. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  May, 
1842,  a  committee  was  appointed  consist- 
ing of  John  Foulkrod,  Samuel  Wakeling 
118 


and  Terence  .f.  ('miiiskey,  all  of  !•  rank- 
ford,  to  tjike  rhurt^f  of  the  fitting  up  of 
llic  iii'sv  l'"r;inkf«ii'(l  Scliool,  lln-n  ni';irinc 
fi)ni|il(tioii.  As  tlu'  sclioiil  was  int)>n<l>'d 
to  U('('(inniiiHlat«>  nil  tli<-  clnldrt-n  of  ttie 
lioroii^li  and  iiiiiuodiate  n<>i;;ld)orli(H)d 
who  nii>;ljt  apply  for  aduilHsion,  it  wua 
decided  to  oiKinnze  three  sthuols  in  the 
bnildin;;,  each  niider  its  own  principal— a 
^raniUKir  scIiodI  fur  u'i'Ih  <»"  the  third 
Hour,  a  >;r:iinniar  schtud  for  boys  on  the 
second  tloor,  and  a  primary  school  for 
children  of  both  sexes  on  the  first  tloor. 
An  examination  for  teachers  was  held, 
conducted  liy  Dr.  A.  I).  Hache.  acting 
principal  of  the  Central  lliah  School,  the 
Directors  from  Oxford  being  present  as  a 
special  conunitlee  on  (inalifications  of 
teachers. 

A  special  nieeiiiiu'  of  the  Hoard  was 
iield  at  the  new  school  on  September  14, 
1S41'.  for  the  election  of  teachers.  After 
a  long  discussion  it  was  decided 
that  11 II  the  teachers  chosen  should  be 
|iiit  upon  trial  for  three  months,  and  if 
found  satisfactory  at  the  end  of  that 
period  they  should  then  be  declared  per- 
manentl.v  elected.  At  the  same  time  the 
salaries  for  the  different  positions  to  be 
filled  were  agreed  upon,  the  salary  in  each 
case  to  begin  on  October  1.  The  l>irec- 
tors  iroMi  Oxford  township  were  named 
as  a  \'isiting  tJommittee  for  the  school, 
and  H  residution  was  passed  discontiuuiuK 
all  salaried  schools  in  the  borough  on  and 
after  Septemoer  ."{0,  except  the  school  for 
colored  <'hildren. 

The  teachers  hnally  selected  for  the 
new  school,  with  their  respective  salar- 
ies, were  as  follow.s  :  — 

For  the  Boys'  Grammar  School: 
Principal,  Lewis  (".  (iuiiii,      .'«alary  $750 
1st  Assistant,  Clinton  Gillinghaiu,     $25U 

iiy 


% 


2nd  Assistant,  Zepheniah  Hopper,     $200 

For  the  Girls'  Grammar  School: 
Principal,  Sarah  J.  Cole,        salary,  $400 
1st  Assistant,  Mary  J.  Roberts,  $250 

2nd        "  Rebecca  S.  Rose,        $200 

Primary  School: 
Principal,  Mary  A.  Harper,  salary,  $300 
1st  Assistant,  Elizabeth  Bird,  $200 

2nd        "  Mary  Ann  Durns,        $150 

After  teaching  for  a  few  months  in 
Finukford,  Mr.  Hopper  resigned  his  posi- 
tion, having  been  appointed  first  assistant 
in  the  Jefferson  school.  Mr.  Hopper  is 
still  teaching,  as  professor  of  geometry, 
in  the  Central  High  School,  after  nearly 
(j6  years  of  faithful  service. 

The  opening  of  the  new  school  was  a 
great  event  in  Frankford.  Miss  Mary 
P.  Allen,  a  well-known  resident  of  the 
town,  gives  the  following  account  of  her 
recollections  of  the  day: 

"The  writer  recalls  a  bright  morning 
in  the  autumn  of  1842.  The  long-talked- 
of  and  patiently- waited- for  day  arrived 
for  the  opening  of  the  Marshall  School. 

"The  building  looked  just  as  it  does 
now.  The  girls  were  assembled  in  the 
yard  on  the  east  side,  and  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Worrell  stood  in  the  doorway,  with  a 
long  paper  in  his  hand,  calling  out  the 
names.  I  can  recall  his  appearance  clear- 
ly at  this  late  day. 

"After  waiting  a  long  time  the  writer's 
name  was  called.  As  she  went  in  the  door 
she  was  directed  to  the  third  story,  much 
to  her  disappointment,  as  all  the  other 
little  girls  had  gone  to  the  primary  de- 
partment on  the  first  floor.  Perhaps  it 
was  her  slight  knowledge  of  the  three  R's 
which  gave  her  such  signal  distinction. 

"A  feeling  of  timidity  took  hold  of  the 
queer  little  body  as  she  wended  her  way 
lip  the  long  staircase.  But  at  the  top  she 
was  greeted  by  three  kind,  smiling  faces 

120 


Marshall   Boys'   Grammar   School. 


—Miss  Coh'.  the  priiicipul.  Mru.  liird.aiitl 
>riss  Uclii'cc:!  Rosf,  wliiisi-  priviite  scIkidI 
sIk'  liiitl   prt'viiiMsly    iittciiilfil. 

"l  was  placed  in  tlic  pxtrpine  nortli- 
easUTii  coriuT,  in  itn-  front  s»Mit.  It 
si'Oiiifd  a  long  wliile  bt-fore  iiiiutlier  lit- 
tle liKme  appfuri'd,  und  how  ;cl:id  I  was 
to  st-e  herl  It  wiia  u  primitive  sort  of 
admission,  but  suited  to  those  dnys,  nnd 
it  is  as  vivid  to  me  to-day  us  on  tiiat  day. 
HO   Ion;;  airo.   i>n   which   it   oc<'nrred." 

'J'lie  new  school  was  afterwards  named 
in  honor  of  the  Kreat  .folui  Murshall,  tirst 
I'liici'  .Justice  of  the  United  Slates,  an<l 
Known  to  suceeedin;:  Kciieralions  as  "the 
interpreter  of  the  C'onstitntion."  May 
his  name  contiime  to  he  assoriated  with 
wliatever  school  linildinir  shall  in  the 
t'liliire   occ\ipy   this   spot. 

Hy  the  end  of  the  tirst  year  the  at- 
tendance at  the  I'riinUl'ord  School  had 
fallen  off.  making  necessary  tlie  reorgan- 
ization of  the  school  and  the  redoi-tion 
of  salaries  in  the  boys'  department.  At 
the  close  of  the  year  1843  the  school  was 
orjranized    as    follows: 

Boys'  Grammar,  enrolled,  ST;  attend- 
ance.  ().'l. 

Clinton  Giilinfrliiini,  principal  ;  salarv, 
$t!(M). 

Rebecca    S.    Rose,      assistant;     salary, 

Girls'    Grammar,    euridled.    117:    uver- 
apre  attendance,   107. 
Sarah  J.  Cole,   principal;  salary,  .^.'{oO. 
Mary    .T.    Roberts,     assistant;      salary, 

.fJoO.   " 

Primary,  enrolled,  180;  average  attend- 
ance,   I.")!). 

Marv  A.  Harper,  principal;  salary, 
$.'^(MX 

Elizabeth  I'ird.  First  Assistant;  sal- 
ary, .^-^no. 

Mary  Ann  Durns,  Second  Assistant; 
salary,   ^loO. 

The  following  rules  were  adopted  by 
the  Directors  for  the  government  of  the 
I'raiikfnrd  School.  They  were  printed 
in  larf^e  letter.-'  and  po.«ted  in  various 
parts  of  the  building,  tliat  they  might 
be  seen  and  read  of  all. 
121 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

for  the   Government   of  the 

FRANKFORD   PUBLIC   SCHOOL. 


As  it  is  impossible  to  conduct  the  operations  of  the  School  suc- 
cessfully without  due  attention  and  subordination  on  the  part  of  the 
Pupils,  the  following  Regulations  are  hereby  enacted.  At  the  same 
time  that  it  is  particularly  recommended  to  Parents  and  Guardians 
to  co-operate  with  th(_  Directors  and  Teachers  by  strict  attention  to 
the  morals  and  behaviour  of.  their  Children  while  at  home,  it  is  also 
necessary  to  inculcate  obedience  to  the  Teachers  while  at  School.  It 
is  expected  every  Scholar  will  submit  implicitly  to  the  authority  of 
the  Teachers,  treating  them  witli  respect,  and  each  other  with  civility 
and  kindnesss. 

RULE  I. 

Scholars  shall  attend  at  School  at  the  hour  of  9  o'clock  in  the 
Morning,  except  from  the  first  day  of  May  to  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember, when  they  shall  attend  at  half-past  8  o'clock,  A.  M.,  clean  and 
neat  in  their  appearance. 

RULE   II. 

In  order  to  prevent  the  interruption  and  inconvenience  arising 
from  Scholars  coming  late,  any  so  offending,  shall  be  kept  in  after 
School,  double  the  time;  and  if  they  should  be  later  than  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  after  the  time  the  Teachers  shall  report  the  same  to  the 
Visiting  Committee. 

RULE  III. 

Scholars  shall  not  be  permitted  to  take  their  seats  after  having 
been  absent,  without  bringing  a  note  of  excuse  from  their  Parents  or 
Guardians,  accounting  for   such   absence. 

RULE  IV. 

Scholars  that  absent  themselves  from  School  for  two  successive 
days,  without  a  sufficient  excuse  from  their  Parents  or  Guardians  in 
writing,  shall  be  considered  as  withdrawn,  and  their  names  erased 
from  the  Roll. 

RULE  V. 

No  Scholar  shall  be  profane  or  indecent  in  language  or  action. 

RULE  VI. 

No  Scholar  shall  speak  or  act  disrespectfully  to  any  Teacher. 

RULE  VII. 

No  Scholar  shall  in  anv  manner  tease  or  hurt  a  fellow-scholar. 

RULE  VIII. 

No  Scholar  when  going  to  School,  or  returning  home,  shall  loiter 
or  behave  improperly. 

RULE  IX. 

Scholars  shall  conduct  themselves  at  School  in  a  quiet  and  or- 
derly manner,  and  attend  diligently  to  their  studies;  they  shall  not 
leave  their  seats  without  permission,  nor  hold  any  communication  with 
each  other  during  School  hours,  either  by  talking,  writing,  or  other- 
wise. 

RULE  X. 

No  Scholar  shnll  cut,  mark  or  deface  in  any  manner  anything  be- 
longing to  the  School. 

RULE  XL 

Tn  regard  to  carelessness  of  any  of  the  Scholars,  with  respect  to 
their  books,  it  is  the  determination  of  the  Visiting  Committee,  to  make 
those  Scholars  who  wilfullj^  injure  or  destroy  their  Books,  replace 
them  at  their  own  expense. 

RULE  XII. 

Should  any  of  the  Scholars  violate  these  rules,  they  shall  be  repri- 
manded, and  tipon  a  repetition  of  the  ofiFense  render  themselves  liable 
to  dismission  from   School. 

Parents  and  Guardians  are  earnestly  requested  to  use  their  best 
endeavors  in  inducing  the  Children  under  their  care  to  a  strict  ob- 
servance of  the  foregoing  Rules  and  Regulations. 

122 


At  the  f)])fiiiMij  i>f  the  Fraiikford 
School,  iill  siilaries  j)!ii(l  to  tt-ucherH  of 
privatf  fichoolH  in  the  borough  were 
withdrawn,  except  in  the  case  of  the 
Colored  School.  As  the  "  public  pupils" 
hud  b»'en  their  chief  .siipi)(>rt,  most  of 
these  private  schools  in  Krankford  were 
closed  at  once. 

The  foilowiuK  is  a  list  of  IIih  salaried 
schools  and  teachers  of  the  Fiftii  Sec- 
tion at  the  time  of  the  openiny  uf  the 
Frankfunl    Seliool    in    T^fJ: 

Oxford    'Pownsliiji — 

Joseph  'I'lnkiT.  Frankfoid  Aeadeni.v, 
$300. 

Zilpah  TI.  Kiihfi-ts,  Frnnkford  Friends' 
Srliool,    .>?1»*.<». 

William    l^arnitz, 

Sarah    .\I.    .Murphy, 

Esther   W.    liose, 

Mary   Ann    Harper, 

Jane    KmuMT, 

Charity  Wyatt. 

Mary  J.   Roln-iis, 

Abner   Woolman, 

Jacob    W.    Kliodes 
Frankford,   $160. 

Washincii)!!    Sehool,    Kobert   D.   Shoch, 

$:joo. 

VVheatsheaf  School,  James  Wheatland, 
$.300. 
Cedar   drove    School,    Mary    McMillun, 

5;u;o. 

Bristol  lioad  Schoid,  Sarah  Comly, 
$2(X>. 

Lower    Dublin    Townshii) — 

Lower  Dublin  Academy.  Charles  Iloag, 
$40(>;  M.    II.    r.ewis,  .$'J00. 

P.ustleton  Academy,  Joshua  H.  Smith. 
$4(H»;  male  assistant,  $Jn0:  Martha  H. 
James    (primary),   ifKiO. 

Ilolmesburg  School,  Humphrey  J.  Wn- 
terman.  .$400;  John  M.  JoLnsou.  S'StO: 
Catharine  Bailey.  ."SlitHj. 

123 


Frankford,  $3lK). 

$2t)0. 

$200- 

$200. 

$200. 

$120. 

$120. 

$  SO. 

[colored 

school), 

Fox  Chase  School,  Thomas  B.  Spen- 
cer, $340. 

Fox  Chase  Primary,  Charlotte  W. 
Wright,   $180. 

FeiiDepack  School,  Rachel  Bines,  $180. 

Byberry  and  Moreland — 

Tillyer's  School,  Alexander  Bucke, 
$320. 

Powell's  School  (Maple  Grove),  Mon- 
roe L.   Van  Zant,  $200. 

Byberry    Meeting.    Joshua    Fell,    $350. 

Smithfield  (Patrick  Henry),  William 
Cameron,    S400. 

Walnut  Hill  (Moreland),  Maria  Hous- 
ton, $224. 

Pleasantville,   Francis   Wood,    $100. 

Mechanicsville,    Mary    Gilbert,    $1.^»0. 

Mechanicsville,  (Harrisburg  Colored) 
$120. 

Tomlinson's  School,  Hannah  Jones, 
$100. 

The  Red  Lion  School  and  several  oth- 
ers were   added  to   the   list  afterwards. 

A  notable  event  occurred  in  Frankford, 
on  November  5th,  1845,  which  was  long 
remambered  in  connection  with  the  Mnr- 
.shall  School.  On  that  day  Francis  R. 
Shunk,  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Jesse  Miller,  State  Superintendent  of 
Schools  and  Secretary  of  the  Common- 
wealth, visited  the  school.  They  were 
accompanied  by  several  members  of  the 
Board  of  Controllers,  and  were  met  l>j' 
the  School  Directors  and  a  number  of 
prominent  citizens  of  the  borough  and 
neighborhood.  They  examined  the  school 
building  and  visited  the  class-rooms, 
questioning  the  cla.sses  and  observing  the 
work  of  teachers  and  pupils,  and  praised 
the  efficiency  of  the  school.  At  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Board,  on  December  29, 
the  Secretary  was  directed  to  record  on 
the   minutes    "the  very  satisfactory   visit 

124 


pnld  to  tlie  sfhool  nt  Frnnkfonl  by  Iii'' 
Excelloiicy  thf  (Jovernor  of  the  Coniinon- 
wpfilth,  Hiiil  tlio  lloiionilile  SeiTetary  of 
Stall'  ami  Snpcriiitoiidi'nt  of  I'oriiiuon 
Schools,  iind  to  e.\|)n'ss  the  hijch  grutili- 
ration   of   this   Hnnnl   tliereoii." 

The  priiicipnls  of  th<>  Frnnkfonl  fJrarn- 
iiiur   Schools   from    Octohor    1,    lSt2,     to 
the  present  time,  are  as  follows  :— 
Girls'  Gnininar  School — 

Sarnh   J.   Cole,  appointed    JS42 

Ann    E.   Algco,  "  1847 

Elizabeth   Spencer,  "  1M47 

Afary  J.  Roberts,  "  1848 

Catharine  V.  Waterman,      "  1851 

Elizabeth  H.  Shallcrogs,        "  1868 

Kate    Lukens    (Supervising    Prin- 

cip;il)     IStH". 

Siis.Hiuia  J.  Williamson  (Supervis- 
ing Principal)    1897 

Boys'  Grammar  School — 
Lewis   C.    Gunn  appointed    1842 

Clinton   Gilliii:rham,  "  1844 

William    W.    Woo.l,  "  1845 

Philip   Cressman,  "  1^51 

A.    B.    Corliss,  "  1*54 

.Tnmes  F.   Sickel,  "  1858 

Charles   A.    Singer,  "  1865 

Pcrcival   S.    Woodin    (Supervising 

Principal)    lOni' 

For  several  years,  beginning  with  1841, 
the  School  Directors  of  the  section,  act- 
ing under  the  authority  of  the  Board  of 
Controllers,  were  engaged  in  making  ar- 
rangements for  taking  charge  of  old  es- 
tablished schools  or  for  the  building  of 
new  school-houses  in  various  parts  of  the 
section.  In  1841  the  total  exjienditure 
by  tiie  Board  of  Controllers  for  real  es- 
tate 'n  the  Fifth  Section  was  ^773.12;  in 
1.S42   it   was  $10,7y!).74. 

In  1844  the  old  Moreland  School-honse 
•was  declared  unfit  for  use.  Tlie  prop- 
erty   was    afterwards    purchased    and    a 

125 


new  school-house  Imilt.  In  184o  an  ap- 
propriation was  asked  for,  to  purchase 
the  Fox  Chase  School,  and  in  1846  the 
Board  of  Controllers  granted  $3000  for 
building  three  new  schools  in  Byberry. 
In  1846  the  Columbia  School,  at  Holmes- 
burg,  was  built.  In  this  way,  as  rap- 
idly as  the  money  could  be  obtained,  the 
needs  of  the  section   were   provided   for. 

In  1850  a  school-house  was  built  at 
Tacony.  Two  years  later  it  was  report- 
ed as  too  small  for  the  district  and  addi- 
tional accommodations  were  asked  for. 
The  White  Hall  School  Avas  built  in 
1858. 

In  1854  the  Decatur  Primary  School 
was  opened  in  Frankford  in  a  rented 
building  on  Orchard  street.  In  1861 
rooms  in  Wright's  Institute  were  rented 
for  a  primary  school.  They  were  given 
up  when  the  Henry  Herbert  School  was 
opened,  in  1874. 

The  Alexander  Henry  School  was 
built  during  the  year  1890,  and  the  Wil- 
liam W.  Axe  School  in  1904. 


The  Colored  Schools. 

A  school  for  colored  children  was  open- 
ed in  Frankford  about  the  year  1837.  In 
1838  it  was  taught  by  George  Roberts, 
who  received  $84.28  from  the  School  Di- 
rectors for  the  tuition  of  colored  children. 
Money  to  build  a  school  house  was  col- 
lected by  George  Lockwood,  an  intelligent 
colored  man,  who  went  from  house  to 
house  soliciting  subscriptions  for  the  pur- 
pose. 

On  May  10,  1840,  the  Borough  of  Frank- 
ford leased  to  James  C.  Watson,  Samuel 
Morris,  William  Chase,  Jr.,  Jeremiah 
Young  and  William  Taylor,  trustees  of 
the  African  Colored  School,  a  part  of  the 
public  burial  ground  on  the  south  side  of 
126 


Mp:i(1ow  street,  2.1  feet  front  by  10r>  feet 
deep,  for  20  yonrs,  rrmii  .Iiiiiii.iry  1,  1H40, 
at  a  rent  of  (ifty  conta  per  year, 
under  an  aj^reenient  on  the  part  of 
said  trustees  that  they  would  use  said 
liremisfs  for  llie  purpDse  of  erectiiitr  and 
keepiiij:  a  public  scliool  fur  liie  filmation 
of  colored  ciiiidron. 

Tlif  srliodl  hdusf  was  linilt  tin-  same 
year.  In  1S41  tin-  siluiol  was  tan;:lit  by 
Jaeob  I?uzby,  who  was  paid  .$150.  In 
1S42  Jacob  W.  Rhodes  tnught  the  school 
at  a  salary  of  $1(J0,  niid  he  was  followed 
in  1.S43  by  .Joshua  Frissell.  .Ir.  lu  1844 
William  Coffee  was  appointed  teacher,  at 
a  salary  of  .$200  for  the  fust  year.  Mr. 
Coffee  continued  to  teach  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  about  the  year  1S(J0.  He 
was  an  iutellifrent  man  and  a  fine  pen- 
ma  ti.  When  the  new  stone  school  build- 
itij?  was  erected  in  1ST4  it  was  called  the 
Wilmot  School,  in  honor  of  David  Wil- 
mot,  the  author  of  the  Wilmot  Proviso. 


The  Central  High  School 
and  the  Normal  School. 

The  Central  High  School  was  opened  in 
S'-ptember,  IS.'^S,  but  there  is  no  record 
of  any  admission  of  pupils  from  schools  of 
the  Fifth  section  until  the  year  1843.  In 
.January,  184.M,  Charles  C.  I'hillips  was 
admitted  from  tlie  Lower  Dublin  School, 
having  come  to  the  neighborhood  from 
the  city  a  short  time  previously.  In  June. 
19.A:',,  W.  E.  Jones,  Henry  Whittaker  and 
Charles  Wyatt  were  admitted  from  the 
Frankford  School.  The  lists  of  admis- 
sions for  1844  contain  the  names  of  Silas 
Crispin,  of  Ilolmesburg.  and  Kcnjamin 
Herbert,  John  Jones  and  Napoleon  M. 
Toion  (a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Catharine  Rice, 
an  innkeeper)  of  Frankford. 

r-'7 


From  the  first  a  considerable  number 
of  the  graduates  of  the  Central  High 
School  turned  their  attention  to  teaching. 
Mr.  Leech,  President  of  the  Board  of 
Controllers,  in  his  report  for  18-11,  stated 
that  ten  members  of  the  graduating  class 
of  that  year  intended  to  become  teachers. 

The  Philadelphia  Model  School,  organ- 
ized by  the  Board  of  Controllers  in  1818, 
for  the  training  of  teachers  of  the  Lan- 
casteriau  system,  was  the  first  school 
established  in  the  United  States  for  the 
education  of  teachers.  After  the  system 
was  dropped  in  1836,  the  school  was  re- 
organized by  the  Board  as  a  model  graded 
school,  with  separate  grammar  depart- 
ments for  boys  and  girls  and  a  mixed 
primary  school,  and  it  was  used  as  a 
school  of  observation,  especially  by 
women  teachers. 

The  success  of  the  Central  High  School 
led  to  the  consideration  of  a  similar  school 
for  the  advanced  education  of  girls.  At 
the  request  of  the  Committee  on  the 
High  School,  Dr.  Bache,  in  1840,  present- 
ed a  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  High 
School  for  Girls,  which  should  combine 
with  it  a  "Normal  Department  for  the 
Training  of  Female  Teachers,"  as  by  this 
time  all  the  school  authorities  testified  to 
the  efficiency  of  women  as  teachers 
wherever  they  were  employed.  No  money 
was  available  for  the  purpose  then  and 
the  matter  was  laid  aside  for  a  time. 

Early  in  1844  Dr.  John  S.  Hart,  prin- 
cipal of  the  Central  High  School,  at  the 
request  of  a  number  of  women  teachers, 
opened  a  Saturday  class  for  women.  In 
writing  of  it  afterward  Dr.  Hart  said: 
"The  class  was  thronged  entirely  beyond 
my  ability  to  give  them  adequate  instruc- 
tion." In  September,  1845,  at  the  request 
of  the  High  School  Committee,  Dr.  Hart 
presented  a  plan  for  a  series  of  Saturday 
128 


classes  for  woukmi.  This  provided  for  in- 
struction in  French  and  Latin  and  in  the 
flistory  of  Enj^hsh  Literature,  Drawing, 
Kii};;hsh  (Jraniinar  and  Ktyniolofjy,  His- 
tory and  Physical  Cieo^raphy.  ( iirls  from 
the  highest  class  of  the  grammar  schools 
were  admitted  into  special  i)npils'  clanses. 
In  l.S4t>  and  1847  over  three  hundred 
students  were  in  attendance,  of  whom 
ITiO  were  teachers.  In  184iS  a  Normal 
School  for  women  was  estnblishod  nt  the 
Mo.l.'l  Sthnol,  with  Dr.  A.  T.  W.  WrJKht 
as  i>rinc"ii)!il.  I>r.  Wiijjht  was  a  great 
trainer  of  tea<liers  and  a  man  of  wonder- 
ful force  of  chanK'ter,  who  uplifted  and 
stren«:theued,  intellectually  and  morally, 
all  who  came  under  his  influence.  The 
Xorni.il  School  was  f>pened  on  February 
1.  184S,  with  one  hundred  and  six  pupils. 
At  the  examination  in  July,  1S48.  three 
pupils  were  admitted  from  Frankford — 
Maria  V>.  Sliallcross,  Louisa  Worrell  and 
Margaret  H.  McCaul.  In  February.  184'J. 
Clara  Lippiucott  was  admitted  to  the 
Normal  School  from  the  Columbia  School, 
at  Holmesburg.  The  Model  School  or 
First  Normal  School  buildinj?  was  on 
Chester  street,  afterward  called  Sergeant 
street,  between  Ninth  and  Tenth  streets. 
In  187t>  the  school  was  reorganized  and 
was  ti-ausferred  to  the  new  building  at 
Seventeenth  ami  Spring  Garden  streets. 
r>r.  Wright  died  in  1854,  and  Philip  A. 
Cregar  was  elected  to  succeed  him.  Mr. 
Cregar  was  followed  in  18(>5  by  George 
W.  Fetter.  In  June,  189.3,  the  Normal 
Training  Department  was  orcanized  as 
the  rhiladelphia  Normal  School,  in  the 
new  building  at  Thirteenth  and  Spring 
Garden  streets,  with  (Jeorge  II.  Cliff  as 
princii)al,  and  a  separate  High  School  for 
Girl.s  was  established  at  Seventeenth  and 
Spring  Garden  streets,  under  the  princi- 
palship  of  Mr.  Fetter.  Mr.  Fetter  re- 
signed on  June  30,  1S04. 
129 


School  Studies,  etc. 

Text  books  for  the  use  o?  tlie  schools 
■were  adopted  gradually.  The  subjects 
taught  at  first  were  Spelling,  Eeading, 
Writing,  Grammar,  Geography  and  Arith- 
metic. In  1847  United  States  History  and 
the  Geography  of  Pennsylvania  were  add- 
ed, and  in  1852  a  knowledge  of  Mensura- 
tion and  Algebra  was  required  for  admis- 
sion to  the  Central  High  School. 

In  1847,  Mr.  Paul  K.  Hubbs,  the 
member  of  the  Board  of  Controllers 
from  the  Fifth  Section,  in  an  address  to 
the  Board  condemned  the  curriculm 
of  the  schools  as  impractical,  and  urged 
the  teaching  in  grammar  and  other 
schools,  at  the  option  of  the  parent,  direc- 
tor or  teacher,  of  such  branches  as  Practi- 
cal Geometry,  Surveying,  Bookkeeping, 
Linear  and  Mechanical  Drawing,  General 
History,  Physiology,  Principles  of  Legisla- 
tion, Philosophy,  Elements  of  Chemistry 
and  Chemistry  as  applied  to  the  arts  and 
manufactures.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that 
all  the  subjects  suggested  by  IMr.  Hubbs 
have  found  a  place  in  the  courses  of 
study  of  the  various  high  schools. 

Mr.  Hubbs  resigned  from  the  Board  in 

1849  and  removed  to  California.  He  took 
an  active  part  in  public  affairs  in  that 
state,  and  was  for  many  years  State 
Superintendent  of  PubUc  Schools. 

In  1848,  under  a  resolution  of  the 
Board  of  Controllers,  all  the  schools  in 
the  City  and  County  of  Philadeljihia 
were  given  names.  In  1848  blanks  for 
use  in  the  schools  and  for  reports  to  the 
Board  of  Controllers  were  adopted.     In 

1850  the  first  night  schools  in  the  Fifth 
Section  were  opened,  one  in  Frankford, 
and  one  in  Holmesburg. 

130 


The    Superintendent    of 
Schools. 

Tlip  Inw  of  is;{(;  |»ii)vi(U"(l  for  n  Siipcr- 
intentlent  of  Comiiion  ScIiooI.m,  oonibiiiiiiK 
the  otlU-e  with  thiit  of  SfcTctiiry  of  the 
Cominoinveallli.  ;nnl  for  uimii.v  yt-ars  the 
schools  of  I'liilii(|i'l|thi!i  \s'(>r»'  visited  oe- 
casioiially   by  the  State  Siiperintendent. 

When  Dr.  Bache  was  made  the  Acting 
Principal  of  the  Central  High  School,  in 
is:')!),  the  visitation  and  fieneral  over-jiglit 
of  the  schools  and  the  conducting  of  ex- 
aminations for  teachers  were  named 
among  his  regular  duties.  In  a  report 
to  the  Board  of  Controllers  on  this  i)art  of 
his  work,  made  in  1S42,  he  states  that  dur- 
ing the  previous  year  he  had  visited  the 
jrrainni.'ir  and  i)riniary  schools,  had  con- 
sulted with  chairmen  of  couuuittees.  had 
held  conferences  with  teachers  and  had 
conducted  teachers'  examinations  in  Mie 
Second,  Third,  Fifth.  Sixth  and  Eleventh 
sections.  Dr.  Hart  while  at  the  head  of 
the  Central  High  School  performed  simi- 
lar duties. 

In  18o4anActwas  passed  providing  for 
the  election  of  county  superintendents.  By 
an  Act  of  ISr^T  a  Department  of  State 
Education  was  established  with  a  Slate 
^Superintendent  of  Common  JSehools  at  the 
head,  thus  separating  the  oversight  of  the 
schools  from  the  otlice  of  Secretary  of 
State.  Another  .\ct,  that  of  ISCT.  provid- 
ed for  asupcrintendent  of  schools  in  all  cit- 
ies and  boroughs  with  lO.tXlO  inhai>itanta 
and  ujtward,  and  later  the  number  was 
reduced  to  50«X). 

For  many  years  the  appointment  of  a 
Superintendent  was  discussed  in  I'hiia- 
delphia.  In  1S41,  President  Leech, 
of  till"  I'.oard  of  Controllers,  advor-ated  tiie 
appointment  of  a  Superintendent  of  Com- 
mon Schools  for  the  First  District, 
£.nd    the    suggestion    was   repeated   by 

ISl 


other  presidents  wlio  succeeded  him.  Mr. 
Stanton,  in  1870,  wrote,  "Let  us  hope 
that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when 
Councils  will  see  the  imperative  necessity 
of  making  the  appropriation  necessary  to 
secure  the  services  of  an  executive  head 
for  the  public  schools."  In  1882,  after  a 
long  struggle,  led  by  Edward  T.  Steel, 
president  of  the  Board,  a  recommendation 
for  the  appointment  of  a  Superintendent 
of  Schools  was  carried,  and  an  item  to  pro- 
vide for  necessary  expenses  was  placed  in 
the  annual  budget.  In  1883  Dr.  James 
McAlister,  of  Milwaukee,  was  elected 
Superintendent  of  Schools  in  Philadelphia, 
and  immediately  began  the  organization 
of  his  office  stafif  and  the  preparation  of 
a  graded  course  of  study  for  the  schools. 
Dr.  MacAlister  resigned  in  December, 
1890,  and  Dr.  Edward  Brooks,  who  had 
been  the  first  principal  of  the  Millersville 
State  Normal  School,  was  chosen  as  his 
successor,  the  appointment  dating  from 
September  1,  1891.  Dr.  Brooks  resigned 
in  1906,  because  of  failing  health,  and 
Dr.  Martin  G.  Brumbaugh,  head  of  the 
Department  of  Pedagogy  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  to  suc- 
ceed him.  Dr.  Brumbaugh  assumed  the 
otlice  of  SuiJerintendent  of  Schools,  on 
July  1,  1906. 


The  Support  of  the  Schools 
of  the  Fifth  Section. 

From  1818  until  1844  the  power  to  raise 
money  for  the  support  of  schools  in  the 
First  School  District  was  vested  in  the 
Board  of  Controllers.  At  first,  under 
the  Act  of  1818,  the  School  Directors  in 
the  outlying  sections  could  draw  money 
directly  from  the  county  treasury,  their 
accounts  being  submitted  to  the  County 

132 


Amlitnrs  for  examination  and  n\)- 
provai.  In  1H'_M  the  autliftrity  to  dia- 
trilmte  s<-1i(hi1  inimcys  ainoii>;  tlio  Sco- 
timis  of  th(>  Dislrii't  wiis  secured  to  tlie 
Boanl  I  if  Controllers  by  si)erial  enact- 
ment. • 

After  l>s-_'l,  prdilic  instruction  in  tlio 
Fifth  Sectiou  was  paid  for  nut  <)f  icn- 
er.'il  ap[U't)[)riutions  made  to  the  School 
Directors  by  the  Board  of  Controlh-rs, 
and  llie  Directors  fixed  the  rate  paid  for 
teachiu;:  for  tlie  whole  section. 

When  salaried  schools  were  established 
in  1841,  the  Directors  divided  the  appro- 
priation to  the  Section  anions  the  four 
townships  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
of  taxes  paid  tiy  each.  In  Murch,  184;^. 
the  comnnttee  appointed  to  distribute  the 
appropriation  of  .^8500  among  the  town- 
ships made  the  following  division  of  the 
money: 

Oxford $3223 

Lower  Dublin 3107 

Byberry 14W 

Morel  and 727 

Total   ?S457 

The  system  was  unsatisfactory,  as  sal- 
aries were  not  uniform  in  the  four  town- 
ships. In  1840  the  Board  of  Controllers, 
at  the  request  of  tlie  Directors,  fixed  a 
general  rate  of  salaries  for  the  outlying 
.sections.  This  rate,  however,  made  the 
salaries  of  principals  of  schools  in  the 
outer  sectioiKs  less  than  corresponding  sal- 
aries in   the  city. 

From  the  time  of  its  organization  the 
Board  of  Controllers  had  the  exclusive 
right  to  purchase  property  for  school 
purposes,  and  after  the  Act  of  l.s;3li 
went  into  elTect,  only  the  Central  Board 
could  rent  property  for  the  use  of 
schools. 
In    isll   I  lie   autlinrity   to  raise  money 

133 


for  the  support  of  schools  was  transferred 
from  the  Board  of  Controllers  to  the 
County  Board,  and  after  the  Act  of  In- 
corporation the'  Controllers  became  de- 
pendent upon  the  City  Councils  for  the 
appropriation  of  sums  of  money  for  the 
support  of  the  school  system.  By  an 
Act  of  the  Legislature,  dated  April  IG, 
1S45,  the  Board  of  Controllers  was  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  "The  Con- 
trollers of  the  Public  Schools  of  the 
First  School  District  of  Pennsj^lvania." 
By  this  Act  all  the  property  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Philadelphia  held  for  school  pur- 
poses was  vested  in  the  Controllers  as  a 
corporate  body,  and  authority  was  se- 
cured for  the  making  and  enforcing  of 
their  necessarily  numerous  contracts. 


The  Act  of  Incorporation. 

By  the  Act  of  Incorporation  of  1854 
the  outlying  townships  of  Philadelphia 
County  were  included  under  the  city  gov- 
ernment, and  the  old  Fifth  School  Section, 
organized  in  1818,  became  the  Twenty- 
third  ward  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 
It  remained  practically  intact  until  18'JU. 
In  that  year  Lower  Dublin,  Byberi-y, 
Moreland,  and  a  part  of  Oxford  Town- 
ship were  formed  into  the  Thirty-fifth 
ward. 

It  is  curious  that  several  provisions  of 
the  original  Act  of  1818  remained  iu  force 
until  this  division  took  place.  The  most 
important  of  these  were  the  right  of 
each  of  the  four  original  townships,  as 
such,  to  representation  in  the  Board  of 
Directors,  and  the  right  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  to  determine  the  qualifica- 
tions of  the  teachers  of  the  section.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  until  the  divi- 
sion in  1890,  the  Scheol  Board  of  the 
Twenty-third  Ward  had  twenty-one  mem- 
134 


bors,  and  iliat  teachora  wore  aome- 
tiiiu'S  elected  in  the  ward  who  did  not 
hold  a  certifionte  from  the  Hoard  of  I'lih- 
lic  Kiliicalion.  Hy  the  disinoinlM-rmi'iit 
of  the  old  Fifth  Section  these  riirhls  and 
privileges  were  lost  to  nil  parts   llierenf. 


The  School  Directors  and  the 
Board  of  Public  Education. 

Under  the  Act  of  IHIS  the  Sehooi  Di- 
rectors of  the  city  proper  were  elected  by 
the  C'oiinnon  and  Select  Councils  of  the 
<ily,  the  Directors  of  the  incorporated 
districts  were  chosen  by  the  District 
Commissioners,  and  the  Directors  of  the 
outlying  sections  were  appointed  by  the 
Judges  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions. By  the  Act  of  1830  the  Town- 
ship Directors  were  made  elective  by 
tlie  [leople,  and  the  Act  of  Incorporation 
in  IS.j-l  provided  for  the  election  of  all 
School  Directors  by  poptdar  vote. 

The  members  of  the  Board  of  Controll- 
ers, under  the  Act  of  1818,  were  chosen 
by  the  Sectional  Boards  of  Directors 
from  their  own  number,  as  their  repre- 
sentatives in   the   Central   Board, 

From  the  year  1818  to  1831  the  out- 
lying seetiouti  had  no  rei>reseutatives  in 
tlie  Board  of  Controllers.  A  special  Act 
of  1830  gave  these  sections  the  right  of  rep- 
resentation in  the  Central  Board,  and  on 
January  25, 1831,  in  pursuance  of  that  Act, 
.Idiiaihiin  Tliomas  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Controllers. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  members 
of  the    Board   of   Controllers    from  the 
Fifth  SectiDM  :  — 
Jonathan  Thomas,  Lower  Dublin, 

lS31-1S.*{»i 

Francis  J.  Harper,  Oxford    IS'^.'i 

John  Foulkrod,  Oxford 1837-1844 

135 


Jacob    Shearer,    Moreland    1844-1846 

Joseph  Cowperthwaite,  Lower  Dub- 
lin   1846-1847 

Charles  Knight;   Byberry    1847 

Paul  K.  Hubbs,  Lower  Dublin, 

1847-1849 
James  Verree,  Jr.,  Lower  Dublin  . .  1849 
Isaac  Pearson,  Lower  Dublin.  .1849-1853 

Henry  Herbert,  Oxford    1853-1856 

Edward  G.  Lee,  Frankford 1856 

Thomas  W,  Duffield,  Frankford, 

1857-1858 
William  H.  Flitcraft,  Bridesburg, 

1859-1860 

Wm.  J.  Crans,  Frankford    1861 

Nathan  Hilles,   Frankford 1861-1866 

John  G.  Brenner,  Frankford    1867 

By  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  in  1867, 
the  power  to  select  the  members  of  the 
central  Board  was  withdrawn  from  the 
local  School  Boards  and  vested  in  the 
Judges  of  the  Courts.  The  Act  required 
that  one  member  should  be  appointed 
from  each  section  or  -ward,  who  by  rea- 
son of  his  appointment  became  an 
ex-ofhcio  member  of  the  Board  of  School 
Directors  of  his  section.  By  the  same 
Act  the  old  name,  "Board  of  Controll- 
ers," was  changed  to  "Board  of  Public 
Education. ' '  In  1905  the  Board  of  Public 
Education  was  reduced  to  twenty-one 
members,  appointed  by  the  Courts  to 
represent  the  city  as  a  whole,  without  re- 
gard to  sectional  boundaries. 

The  members  of  the  Board  of  Public 
Education  chosen  by  the  Judges  of  the 
Courts,   are  as  follows: 

John   G.    Brenner 1868 

Samuel   Wakeling    1869-1871 

Richardson  L.  Wright 1872-1SX)4 

Franklin  Smedley   1904 

When  the  Twenty-third  ward  was  di- 
vided in  1890,  Thomas  Shallcross,  of  By- 
berry,   was   appointed   a   member  of   the 

136 


T'.Djir.l  of  Tiililii'  Eilncntion  fmin  tlio  new 
Tliirty-tinii  wiinl.  ISoth  Mr.  Sinclley 
aiiil  Mr.  SluilW'rtf.s.s  wfie  appointed 
iiii'iiihers  of  the  now  Hoard  of  Public 
Kdiu-ation,  from  the  city  at  large,  under 
the  School  Law  of  1!H)5. 

The  following  is  a  li.st  of  the  names  of 
citiztMis  of  tlie  old  I'iflli  SiIkxjI  Secrjnu 
who  served  as  nu'iiiluMs  nf  tlip  Boiird  of 
Direetors  from  ISIS,  wln-n  the  settion 
was  or^'imiztMi  hy  Ad  of  Asseuddy,  iiutil 
it    WHS   ilividt'il    in    ilii-   yciir    IS'.K): 

OXIX)KI)  TOWNSIIII'— in<liullu«  Frank- 
fortl.  .Xppuiiitfd  by  tlii'  Jiiilycs  of  tlio  Court 
of  Quarter  Se.sslons: — AbrahuDi  Dufflolrt, 
Jolin  Lardnor.  Nallian  Ilarpcr,  John  KffU, 
St'rick  L-"ox,  t'liarlfs  Slialli-ross,  r^yufonl 
Lardncr,  .lolin  Koulkrod,  'riii'ophiliis  Har- 
ris, Daiiifl  Youker,  Thomas  W.  Dullltld, 
Daniel  Thomas,  Frauds  G.  Harper,  William 
Overiiifrtoii. 

Elected  by  the  pe«ple  : —  John  Koul- 
krod.  William  Overinijton,  Samuel  Wakeling, 
Charles  Shallcross,  Thomas  W.  DuflielU, 
Terence  J.  Comiskey,  Joseph  Deal,  Caliper 
W.       Morris,  Irtaac     Worrell,  John    S. 

Kose.  II. my  Tayliir,  M.  I).,  George  Hoff, 
S:iiiincl  Iliiikil,  Henry  Ilerberr.  Joseph  T. 
^'au  Kirk,  ICilinuiid  (Jreeu,  Henry  S.  Spack- 
man.  Thomas  Shallcro.ss,  W.  D.  Howard, 
Jai'ub  Foulkrod.  William  K.  Hamlll,  Henry 
Kigler.  Hfnry  W.  Dlttuian,  Joseph  Met- 
ealfe,  Thomas  J.  Webster.  David  Cnnrnd, 
William  J.  HalUday,  William  T.  Wright, 
i:zra  Wright,  Kdwnrd  (;.  Lee.  S.  B.  Hale, 
William  <S.  Rupert,  Kdward  White,  Joslab 
Kerprr,  George  Snyder,  George  Castor, 
William  J.  Grans,  Ama/.lah  Watson,  George 
Magee,  .lonalhan  N.  lUle,  William  U.  Un- 
ruh,  Jaeob  P.  Knorr,  Johu  Knight.  M.  D., 
(ieorge  W.  Uhawn.  William  F.  MeFarlnnd, 
Naihiin  Hllles,  Samuel  D.  Sldebothnm, 
Joseph  II.  Comly,  Renjamln  Uowlnud.  Jr., 
Thaddeus  Sti-rne.  Cherl  Rone,  William  W. 
Axe,  Harvey  Ciulcksall,  John  Cartledge, 
I'.enjamin  Shalleross.  Silas  .\shton.  Snmu.l 
Ford.  .lames  Ashworth,  Harvey  Rowland. 
Jr..  Charlis  K.  Webster,  George  M.  Taylor. 
William  Taylor,  John  Cooper,  George  Old- 
h!im,  Charles  L.  Leiper,  I..«>onard  Shalleross, 
Matthi.is  Coats.  Frank  K.  Shallirosa, 
Fruuklin  Smeilley. 

137 


LOWER      DUBLIN      TOWNSHIP :— Ap- 
pointed   by    the    Judges    of    the    Court    of 
Quarter        Sessions:  —  William        Maghee, 
Josliua   Jones,   Samuel    Swift,  James   Paul, 
Jonathan    Thomas,   James   Verree,   William 
R.   Rodman,  Benjamin   Crispin,   Ralph  Ed- 
dowes,  Jr.,  John    Northrop,   Enoch   C.   Ed- 
wards, Jacob  Waterman,  Nathan  T.  Knight. 
Elected    by  the  people  : —  Benjamin    Cris- 
pin,    Joseph    Wilson,     Jr.,       Robert      Barnes, 
Daniel     Starkey,       Henry    Tremper,      Thomas 
W.     Webster,  Thomas        D.     Dougherty, 

John      Prentiss,      Jr.,  William      Conrad, 

Paul  K.  Hubbs,  James  H.  Perkins,  Isaac 
A.  Davis,  John  Neville,  Samuel  Perkins, 
Jesse  Dungan,  Joseph  Cowperthwalte,  John 
Rupert,  Paul  Crispin,  A.  Gregg,  .Tames 
Verre,  Jr.,  Isaac  Pearson,  Charles  Blake, 
C.  W.  Harrison,  Thomas  Goldsmith,  Simon 
H.  Barrett,  Charles  Tillyer,  Benjamin  Cris- 
pin, Thomas  S.  Snyder,  Jacob  Blake,  Jacob 
Saurman,  William  Kimple,  Henry  II.  Gif- 
ford,  John  W.  Barnes,  George  W.  Rhawn, 
Charles  Neville,  William  H.  Starkey,  Jesse 
S.  Wilson,  Alfred  Reading,  John  Neville, 
Jacob  W.  Mattis,  Thomas  Shallcross,  Isaac 
A.  Shive,  .Joseph  H.  Cartledge,  Alfred  Gen- 
try, Charles  Heller,  Joseph  Saul,  Henry  K. 
Pearson,  Henry  Dewees,  James  Keen,  Mur- 
rell  Dobbins,  Maxwell  Rowland,  Isaac  W. 
Tomlinson,  Charles  Sowerly,  George  Mor- 
gan, Furman  D.  Holme,  N.  T.  Jermon,  M. 
D.,  Richard  P.  Wright,  Henry  Hoffi,  Ed- 
ward Leedom,  William  Rowland,  T.  Miles 
Brous,  Zachary  T.  Kirk,  George  K.  Hoff. 

BYBERRY  TOWNSHIP— Appointed  by 
the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions:— Benjamin  Walmsley,  Jame.s  Thorn- 
ton, Jonathan  T.  Knight,  John  P.  Town- 
send,  Amos  Wilson,  Nathaniel  Richardson, 
Charles  Knight. 

Elected  by  the  people  : — John  P.  Town- 
send,  Yarnall  Walton,  Charles  Walms- 
ley, John  Roberts,  Casper  Rhoads,  James 
Carter,  Charles  R.  Knight,  John  Tomlin- 
son, Lewis  Rumford,  M.  Hawkins,  Elisha 
Newbold,  Jacob  Saurman,  Watson  Comly, 
Owen  Knight,  Thomas  James,  Sigmund 
Hogeland,  Randall  Myers,  Thomas  Roberts, 
Samuel  Thomas,  William  C.  Powell,  M.  D., 
Lemuel  Thomas,  John  R.  Beading,  M.  D., 
Silas  Tomlinson,  Humphrey  Humphreys, 
Jonathan  M.  Ervin,  Thomas  Shallcross, 
John  F.  Lukens,  John  B.  Kirkbride,  Wil- 
liam  Terry,   Ross   M.   Knight,   William   W. 

138 


RIiIrp,  TTonry  Sfovciis.  rinior  Cnrtor,  John 
Simons,   Oliver    I".    KiilKlit. 

MOIJKLANI)  TOWNSUII*— Appolntcl  hy 
till-  .liulut'M  of  the  Court  of  liuarltr  S.m- 
slims: — Jacoli  Shearer,  lOilward  Ixitllt-ld, 
Thomas   UeailliiK,  Jacob  Shearer,  Jr. 

Elpoted  by  tlie  people :—  Thoinns  Re«<l- 
liiK,  .Iftcob  Shearer,  Jr.,  .lacob  Siuirniiiii. 
licMijiiiiiiii       ToniUnsoii,  Jnlin        Toniliii»on, 

John  KolM-rts,  Jesse  Hawkins,  WUIiain 
Potts,  Henry  H.  CilfTord,  (Jeorge  Saurnian, 
James  Van  Hart,  Henry  Brous,  John  W. 
I'nrdy,  Kdward  White,  Jesse  Hnrdlnff, 
Charles  W.  Diinll,  Heury  Stevens,  Keuben 
I'lirry. 

Tlie  fiillowlng  were  elected  by  the  people 
in  districts  organlzeil  In  the  Twenty-third 
AVard  after  the  Act  of  Consolidation  in 
1N."4  :— William  It.  Comly,  Isnnc  K.  Osmnn, 
Charles  Hlllborn,  Newton  May,  M.  D., 
John  S.  Painter,  Samuel  C.  Willets,  Alfred 
Bartolet,  Thomas  Dlsston,  Thomas  W. 
South,  Elnui  B.  Lonjr,  H.  A.  P.  Neel,  M.  D.. 
Benjamin  Pennebakcr,  M.  D.,  Oeorge 
Wiley,  Hobert  Allen,  Jacob  Shingluff, 
Thomas  Helveston,  Jonathan  Enochs,  Henry 
Dew-ees,  Ceorge  Snyder,  William  Boucher, 
Francis  Putt,  William  H.  Flitcraft,  Jon- 
athan  Kile,  Francis  McMauua. 


13y 


Minutes  of  Meeting,  Held 
November  22,  1907. 


The  stated  meeting  of  the  Historical 
Snricty  of  Frankford  was  held  in  the 
Friends'  Meeting  House,  Unity  and 
Wain  streets,  on  Friday  evening,  No- 
vember 22d,   at  8  o'clock. 

The  president,  the  Hon.  William  W. 
Fonlkrod,   called   the  meeting  to  order. 

The  committee  appointed  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  an  excursion  to  Valley 
Forge  reported  that  the  excursion  to 
Valley  Forge  had  taken  place  on  June 
22d.  The  party  consisted  of  fifty-seven 
members  of  the  Society  with  their 
friends.  Mr.  John  L.  Shroy  accompanied 
them'  and  added  greatly  to  the  pleasure 
of  every  one  by  explaining  the  various 
points  of  interest  in  the  old  camping- 
ground.  After  spending  a  very  enjoy- 
able day  the  company  returned  to  Frank- 
ford  at  an  early  hour  in  the  evening. 

Further  information  being  asked  as  to 
the  place  of  meeting  of  the  Friends  who 
had  adopted  the  protest  against  slavery 
in  16S8,  Mr.Worrellstated  that  the  house 
of  Richard  Worrell  in  Frankford,  might 
have  been  used  as  the  place  of  meet- 
ing, though  the  log  meeting  house  had 
been  erected,  for  this  protest  was  adopt- 
ed at  a  business  meeting  and  not  at  a 
meeting  held  for  worship.  IVIr.  Worrell 
also  said  that  the  Frankford  claim  was, 
that  the  meeting  had  been  held  in  a 
house  on  the  site  of  the  house  now  stand- 
ing and  occupied  by  Miss  Sarah  C. 
Leake. 

Mr.  Corson  expressed  the  opinion  that 
the  back  part  of  Miss  Leake's  house  had 
been  built  before  1688.  A  paper  present- 
ed by  Mr.   Charles   W.   Castor  and  read 

140 


after  tlip  inootiii;:  ndjcmrncd  states  tlint 
the  Aiili-Sl.ivi'ry  Mcclinjj  was  lield  in 
Germaiitdwn  in  n  house  wliicli  formerly 
stood  at  iiuuiher  '(UK)  (Jeriinintowu  ave- 
nue, 'riial  ihf  resolution  was  writtt-n  liy 
Pastorius,  pruljabiy  at  the  Pasturing 
homestead,  afterwards  the  (ireeu  Tree 
Inn,  on  Germantowu  aveuue  above  High 
street. 

Inquiry  was  nuide  as  to  the  history  of 
Holly  Hall,  Hriiifsburg,  the  ohl  iiouse 
oooupied  f"r  many  years  by  the  .Tenks' 
family.  Tiie  house  is  an  old  Coh>nial 
mansion,  witli  the  ruins  of  a  "wives' 
walk"  on  toj..  Many  houses  in  tiie  vi- 
cinity of  waterways  were  built  with  these 
walks  across  the  apex  of  the  roof,  so 
that  interested  persons  could  watch  the 
approach  of  vessels  coming  into  port. 

Mr.  I>avicl  S.  Uorer  stated  that  the 
house  O'cupied  by  Edward  Axe,  on 
Frankford  avenue,  contained  an  old  oven, 
in  which  bread  was  baked  during  the 
Revolutionary  War.  The  Axe  family 
were  Hessians,  who  came  to  this  countrj- 
with    the    British    Army. 

Papers  prepared  for  the  evening  were 
read  by  Mis.s  Eleanor  E.  Wrifrht  and  the 
Rev.  James  Price,  D.  I).  Mr.  Foulkrod 
announced  that  Miss  Wright's  paper  on 
"Mrs.  William  Welsh  and  Her  Connec- 
tion with  Frankford  and  St.  Mark's 
Church,"  hati  been  prepared  at  the  re- 
quest of  William  Welsh,  Jr..  and  that 
Mr.  Welsh's  sketch  of  the  life  of  his 
fathfr  would  be  read  at  the  meeting  in 
January. 

Dr.  Price's  paper  wan  on  "Frankford 
as  He  Remembered  It  Retweeu  1853  and 
1873."  Dr.  Pri<e's  paper  will  be  contin- 
ued at  the  next  ineetinj;.  Miss  Wright  also 
read  a  paper  written  by  Mr.  David  S. 
Rorer,  on  tdd  Frankford,  and  Dr.  Dixon 
read   an   account   of   the   life   of   the  late 

141 


Mr.  Jokn  Briggs,  and  a  description  of 
the  Tacony  Print  Works,  in  Frankford, 
d«stroyed  by   fire  many   years  ago. 

The  names  of  two  persons  wei-e  pre- 
sented as  candidates  for  election  as  mem- 
bers of  the  Society — Mrs.  Biles  and  Wm. 
E.  Albertson. 

Valuable  photographs  of  Frankford 
and  its  vicinity  was  presnted  by  Guern- 
sey A.  Hallowell,  William  Overington, 
Jr.,  and  by  Mr.  C.  Henry  Kain,  of  the 
City  History  Club.  The  secretary  was 
requested  to  extend  the  thanks  of  the 
Society   to   these   gentlemen. 

There  being  no  other  business  the 
meeting    adjourned. 

ELEANOR  E.  WRIGHT, 
Secretary, 


142 


Papers  Read 


BUKORK    THE 


HISTORiCAL  SOCIETY 

of  Frankford. 


Vol.  1.        No.  7. 


REPRINTED    FROM 
THE    FK.iNKFOKU    U.\ZETTE" 

isos 


-fa 

J 


\ 

^  CONTENTS 

[PAGE] 
NO 

"^     Tho  First  School  Mouse  in  Frankford,  1 

^  l'>v  Robert  T.  Corson 

l-o    /  (Rciid  helon-  tlu>  HiPtnrical  f^ncietv,  .IniiP  1st,  IW')) 

>     Recollections  of  Frankford,  1855--1873  13 

^  By  James  Price,  D.  D. 

"^    Minutes  of  Meetinjr,  Held  March  17,  1908.        45 


The  First  School  House 
in  Frankford. 


Au  AiUlress  Doliven-d  Before  tbo  l-'rauk- 
fonl  Historical  Society. 


Hy  Kohkkt  T.  Cokson. 


Publi-ilied  under  llio  Direction  of  tlic  Coiiimittct 
oil  History  of  llio  Historical  Society. 

There  are  three  kinds  of  history  which 
do  not  seem  ditlicnlt  to  write,  the  tirst 
whi'U  the  period  is  so  remote  that  the 
field  of  discussion  of  ueceasity  has  been 
fully  covered  by  other  writers  from 
whose  writings  you  can  cull  the  best; 
the  second,  where  you  can  recall  occur- 
rences within  yuiir  own  knowledge,  and 
the  third,  where  you  can  gather  your  in- 
formation  from   the  oldest   inhabitant. 

1  had  all  of  these  in  mind  when  I 
rather  reluclantlv  accepted  the  invita- 
tion of  this  society  to  prepare  a  paper 
upon  the  "First  School  House  in  Frank- 
ford."  I  ai>preciated  the  ditllculty  of 
preparinj:  an  interestiuj;  article  because 
uiy  subject  did  not  come  within  any  of 
the  three  cases  1  have  specified.  'Hie 
subject  was  not  oM  enough  to  have  been 
treated  by  historians,  I  am  not  old  enough 
to  have  any  knowledge  upon  the  subject, 
and  it  i.s  just  beyond  the  recollection  of 
the  oldest  inhabitant  of  our  day. 

So  that  after  having  ascertained  the 
location  of  the  buililing,  the  period  dur- 
ing which  it  was  in  use  as  a  .school  and 
1 


the  date  it  ceased  to  be  used,  there  seem- 
ed to  be  little  that  vonld  be  written  upirn 
the  subject. 

I  have  gotten  a  little  beyond  this  out- 
line, but  not  very  far.  I  hope,  however, 
that  such  further  information  may  be 
obtained  by  members  of  the  society  as 
may  eventually  result  in  something  near 
a  complete  history  of  the  first  school 
house. 

A  distinguished  antiquarian.  Governor 
Pennypacker,  ha.s  said  that  "it  is  always 
treading  on  dangerous  ground  to  say  of  a 
thing  that  it  is  the  first  of  its  kind." 

We  believe  the  old  school  house  to  be 
the  first,  but  if  there  be  any  older  let  the 
evidence  be  produced. 

Frankford  at  this  time  was  a  village 
of  but  little  more  than  a  few  scattered 
houses  along  the  Great  Road.  In  ITUt), 
from  a  survey  made  by  Silas  Watts,  en- 
dorsed on  a  deed  from  Henry  Paul  to 
Rudolph  Neff,  it  appears  the  only  streets 
were  the  '"Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
New  York"  (Frankford  avenue),  "a  street 
laid  out  33  feet  wide  leading  into  Tacony 
road"  (Paul  street)  and  crossing  these  "a 
road  leading  to  Frankford  Meeting"  (Ox- 
ford street).  Not  one  of  our  streets  with 
a  name,  and  Church  street,  which  was 
the  road  leading  to  Germantown,  was  the 
only  street  crossing  Main  street  north  of 
Adams  road,  and  that  Avas  only  opened 
eastward  to  Paul's  lane. 

The  country  surrounding  was  agricul- 
tural and  the  inhabitants  British  subjects. 

Tlie  early  settlers  of  Frankford  were 
English  Friends  and  German  or  Dutch 
Mennonites,  the  former  probably  coming 
from  the  city  and  the  latter  from  Ger- 
mantown. Indeed,  Frankford  and  Ger- 
mantown were  from  the  earliest  times 
closely  linked  together.  For  many  years 
the  same  minister  officiated  at  the  Pres- 

2 


The  First  Schoolliouse  in  Frankford. 


Stood  at  the  curiuT  ui  Wain  aiitl  Spring  Sfrecfs.  Fmtikf.ird. 
Erected  1768.     Removed  1901. 


I 


bvlfiiaii   (llu'ii    Dutcli    Ui'forincili   Cliunli 
(if  (it>riii:iiiti)\vii  mill  l''ninkri>nl. 

Our  iiiicostors  doultllrss  :i|ipr*>riiit<-il  llic 
julv:iiitii(jes  of  fdiiratiiJii  as  inin  h  iis  wo 
ill),  l>iit  tlii'ir  Dppurtiiiiilicn  wt-rc  iiu'si^tp. 
'I'lit'  pioiii'tT  ill  tin-  fiirly  st'ltlfini-iils  of 
Dili-  coiiiiti-.v  liiKl  first  a  liviii);  to  make  ntiil 
liis  cliililreii  luxl  lo  assist  in  this  as  souii 
ns  Ihoy  were  nhlc,  nnd  iMlucatiiin  was  a 
set'oiidii ry  coiisidrrat ion. 

After  the  touiitry  hpoame  less  a  wilder- 
ness and  the  population  increased  the 
necessity  of  education  for  the  children  l>e- 
jjiin  to  be  felt,  and  at  about  ihf  s;iine  time 
ill  I'hiladeli)liia,  FriMiUfurd  atid  (ii-rinaii- 
towii.  The  Philadt'lpliia  Academy,  from 
which  the  University  ;;rew,  lie;^an  in  1750, 
the  Germantown  Academy  iu  17')!),  the 
present  building  being  erected  in  17GU  by 
funds  raised  by  a  public  subscription,  and 
oiir  own  school  in  17tI8.  Prior  to  this 
time  what  education  the  children  had  was 
probably  obtained  at  home.  The  Friends 
were  of  the  middle  class  in  England,  gen- 
erally able  to  read  and  write  at  a  time 
when  these  accomplishments  were  consid- 
ered a  fair  education  in  themselves,  while 
some  of  them  and  some  of  the  Germans 
were  learned  men,  Penn,  Logan,  Robert 
Barclay,  Pastorius  and  Kelpiiis  among 
them.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that 
the  erection  of  a  school  house  in  such  a 
community  soon  became  a  serious  ques- 
tion. Accordingly,  we  find  that  a  public 
subscrijition  was  opened  for  this  purpose, 
money  was  collected  and  a  lot  of  ground 
purchased  for  a  school  house.  Unfortu- 
nately, the  subscription  list,  whicli  has 
been  preserved,  is  not  complete,  about 
one-hnlf  of  it  being  missing,  and  the  misj*- 
iiig  |)!irt  contains  the  large  subscriptions 
— £5,  £C,.  £2,  etc.  Tlie  names  on  the  part 
remaining,  which  is  worthy  of  i)rescrva- 
tion,  are  as  follows: 
3 


John  Hatfield. 
Joseph  Clark, 
George  Rorer, 
Joshua  Fletcher, 
Nicholas  Wain, 
Robert  Wain, 
Henry  Rorer,  Jr., 
Joseph  Fox, 
Joseph  Thornhill, 
Demas  Worrell, 
Isaac  Bewly. 
8aiuuel  Howel, 
John  Paul, 
Isaac  Comly, 
Deborah  Hudson, 
Isaac  Buzby. 
Reynald  Keen, 
Thomas  Bristol, 
Mary  Sindrey. 
Joseph  Jenkins, 
Israel  Jenkins, 
Leonard  Shallcross, 
Frederick  Shepley, 
Abraham  Buzby, 
Rudolph  Mowerer, 
Jesse  Carey, 
Thomas  Coats, 
Adam  Holt, 
Laurence  Bast, 
Juda  Foulk, 


Thomas  Willing, 
Joseph  Worrell, 
George  Roberts, 
Martin  Lady, 
George  Broomer, 
Patrick  McCormick, 
Henry    Grubb, 
Jacob  Bishop, 
Enoch  Dungan, 
John  Wood, 
Samuel  Harper, 
John  Collom. 
Thomas  Skillman, 
Jacob  Lesher, 
Jacob  Folkrod, 
Sarah  Harper, 
Robeit  Harper, 
Rudolph  Neff, 
Isaiah  Worrell, 
Hill  Freeborn, 
John  Weaver, 
Thomas  Burt, 
Jacob  Kerkuer, 
John  Finney, 
Asaph  Wilson, 
Joseph  Knight, 
Henry  Paul, 
Thomas  Qulnland, 
Alexander  Edwards, 


Philii)  Foulkrod. 

Many  of  the  subscribers  are  the  ances- 
tors of  members  of  thin  Society,  and  al- 
most all  the  names  well  known  in  Frank- 
ford— Wain,  Rohrer,  Worrell,  Neff,  Com- 
ly, Foulkrod,  Buzby,  Shallcross,  Harper 
and  Paul. 

William  Ashbridge,  Rudolph  Neff  and 
Isaiah  Won-ell  were  appointed  trustees, 
and  they  on  September  12,  1708,  pur- 
chased from  John  Suttou  and  wife  for  £8 
and  15s.  a  lot  of  ground  on  the  west  side 
of  the  road  leading  to  the  Meeting  House 
(now  Wain  street),  extending  along  the 
southeast  side  of  the  present  Cloud  or 
Spring  street  115  feet  to  a  small  stream 
of  water,  extending  along  Wain  street  308 
feet  to  Church  street,  and  un  Church 
street  412  feet  to  Little  Tacony  Creek, 
with  a  water  front  on  the  creek  of  58  feet. 


Tlip  lot  iiiin-uwi'il  from  its  front  to  Cluirrh 
stri'i't,  iiiiil  Imil  u  wiilili  of  alioiit  .'(<»  u-t't 
from  \\'.ilii  stri-»!t  lo  tlu-  i-roi'k. 

JcpIiu  11.  Webster.  Jr..  .mirveyor,  huH 
iniidc  ji  lira  ft  of  tin-  lot  .shnwiiiK  itx  1"'- 
("iili.ir  .sliai"'.  'I'lit'  lot  \vii>i  coiivfycil  to 
the  trustees,  to  l>e  ln-ltl  li.v  tliem,  as  fol- 
low.s:  "In  trust,  thai  tlicy,  the  saiii  Wil- 
liam AshliridKc  Itudolpli  Neff  and  I.saitili 
Worrell,  touetlier  with  sm-li  well-disposed 
persons  ami  nei.'liliors  as  shall  join  with 
them.  iM.iy  erect  ami  tmild  >>i\  the  herein- 
before granted  pieee,  parcel  or  lot  of  hiiul 
a  I'onvenieiit  school  house  for  tlie  use  of 
the  said  subscribers  or  contributors  to- 
ward pun-liasini:  tlie  s;iid  lot  .•itnl  biiildiiiL' 
tlie  said  school  house,  umh-r  the  direction.-* 
of  such  managers  or  trustees  as  shall  be 
annually  chosen  (tut  of  the  ntimber  of  con- 
tributors, their  heirs  or  .successor.^,  on  the 
third  seventh  <lay  of  March,  between  the 
hours  of  1  and  4  in  the  afternoon,  by  a 
m.ij'irilv  of  ilu'.ii  iluti  meeting  at  the 
school  house,  the  names  of  which  con- 
tributors, together  with  their  respective 
contributions,  shall  be  indorsed  on  the 
back  side  of  this  conveyance." 

The  witnesses  to  the  deed  are  .loseph 
Walker,  Silas  Watts,  the  surveyor  before 
refwred  to,  and  .Tonathan  liavingtoii. 

It  is  ditlicult  at  this  time  to  say  what 
could  have  been  the  reasons  for  selecting 
this  site  for  ;he  sdnnd.  There  were  then 
but  few  houses  above  Church  street,  the 
Frankford  of  that  ilay,  lying  principally 
on  Adams  street  and  Frankford  avenue 
then  the  tJnat  Hoad)  and  consequently, 
the  school  lot  was  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  most  of  the  residents.  There 
were  at  this  time  no  streets  or  roads  lead- 
ing to  it  except  the  present  Oxford  street, 
which  extended  to  the  Meeting  House, 
and  the  need  of  access  from  the  lower 
jKirt  of  Frankford  was  felt  at  once  und 
5 


we  find  that  in  1770,  shortly  after  the 
school  house  was  finished,  the  trustees 
bought  from  Henry  Paul,  Jr.,  for  £10 
a  strip  of  land  30  feet  wide  and  opened 
Church  street  from  its  then  end  at  Paul 
iitreet  to  the  present  line  of  Spring  or 
Cloud  street  and  the  latter  street  on  its 
present  line  to  Wain  street. 

Except  the  Friends'  Meeting  there  was 
no  building  in  the  neighborhood,  but  it  is 
not  unlikely  that  there  were  farmers  in 
the  surrounding  countx-y  whose  children 
attended  the  school  and  it  may  have  been 
thought  that  this  was  a  central  point,  be- 
tween Tacony  road  and  the  Main  street. 
It  is  possible,  too,  that  the  spring  which 
ran  through  the  school  lot  had  something 
to  do  with  the  selection  of  this  particular 
lot.  Wells  at  this  time  were  both  costly 
and  dilEcult  to  dig  and  water  near  at 
hand  was  very  necessary.  Then  again 
through  the  country  at  that  time  the 
school  house  was  usually  found  near  the 
Meeting  House. 

Any  or  all  of  these  reasons  may  have  in- 
dueuc-ed  the  trustees  in  selecting  a  site 
which  to  us  does  not  seem  so  desirable 
ius  one  on  the  Main  street  would  have 
been. 

Upon  this  lot  the  school  house  was 
erected.  It  was  a  one-story  stone  build- 
ing, with  a  sloping  attic  roof,  probably 
20  feet  front  and  15  feet  deep,  with  the 
entrance  originally  from  Spring  street.  A 
picture  of  the  building  has  been  preserved, 
and  as  it  existed  until  quite  recently  it  is 
within  the  recollection  of  many  present. 
Unfortunately  the  inside  arrangement  of 
the  building  is  not  known.  Who  were 
the  teachers,  who  were  the  scholars  and 
how  the  school  was  conducted  I  have  not 
been  able  to  discover,  except  that  Ben- 
jamin Kite,  was  a  teacher  there  from 
about  1784,  when  he  came  to  Frankford 
6 


from  ByhiTi-.v.  until  ITlfJ,  wb«-ii  lif  r»'- 
iiiovt'd  Uj  IMiilailflpliiii.  Ilf  livt'il  in  tin" 
old  atonu  house  atill  stuiulini;  on  tin-  in>rtli 
side  of  Cloud  street  opposite  the  old 
school. 

As  to  the  scJiiilars,  it  is  fair  t«»  |irt'Siiiiif 
that  lU'urly  ull  tin-  childn'h  whii  lived  ia 
Frunkford,  hetwi-en  17('»M  and  ITJKl  at- 
tt-ndi'd  this  si'hool.  Slcplu-n  Dt'catur.  it  is 
said,  was  one  of  the  schtilars. 

Tlio  scliools  of  this  period,  and  we  mint 
l)ear    in    mind    tliat    this    was    hefore    [Uf 
Revolution,  wprt»  fnrnishcd  with  dt*sks  and 
honclu's  nnule  hy   the  local  carpPiitfT.     A 
hiKh  desk  upon  a  raised  platform  fur  tlu' 
luaster    at    one    end    of    the    room,    and 
UKninst    the    walls    a    (•ontin\i(»ns    sli»pin»{ 
.^holf  ahoiit  three  feet  from  the  Hour,  lon^t, 
haekless   heuokes,    upon    which    the    large 
children  sat   in  front   of  it   with  a   line  of 
other  Knialler   benches  for  the   little  chil- 
dren, all  artistically  carved  with  the  jack- 
knives  of  the  scholars.    The  middle  of  the 
room    would    he    an    open    space    for    the 
classes    to    stand    when    reciting.    There 
would  he  a  large  deep  fireplace  to  accom- 
modate  plenty  of   wood,   which   was   car- 
ried in  by   the  scholars.    John  Trumbull, 
who   attended  a   Colonial  .school  just   be- 
fore the  Revolution,  describes  the  school- 
master   as    follows:    "He    wore    a    three- 
cornered   liat,  his  coat   descended  in  long 
square  skirts  to  the  calves  of  his  legs;  he 
wore  white  silk  stockings,  with  low  shoe.s 
with  l!ir;:(>  buckles,  and  a  gray  wig  falling 
in  rolls  over  his  shoulders.     He  wore  tor- 
toise shell  spectacles  and  carried  a  gol.i- 
headed  cane." 

In  these  days  many  of  the  school  houses 
had  no  glass  in  the  windows,  greased 
paper  taking  its  place.  They  aeldom  had 
maps,  but  occasionally  a  globe.  Slates 
did  not  come  iiito  use  until  nbout  1S*J0; 
quill  pens  and  paper  were  used  for  writ- 
7 


ing  (leadpencils  are  quite  modern).  The 
ink  was  made  at  lienie,  usually  of  swamp 
bark  boiled.  The  paper  was  rough,  dark 
without  lines,  and  its  cost  so  great  that  it 
had  to  be  used  sparingly.  Lines  were 
made  by  the  children  with  pieces  of  sheet 
lead.  It  Vv'as  not  unusual  in  these  times 
for  the  children  to  use  birch  bark  to  write 
upon.  A  consideralile  part  of  the  school- 
master's time  was  taken  up  in  the  making 
and  mending  of  pens. 

Tlie  instruction  was  usually  oral.  Read- 
ing and  writing  were  the  principal  studies, 
and  sometimes  arithmetic  was  taught.  The 
sums  being  given  out  by  the  master  and 
worked  out  l)y  the  children  in  their  books 
or  on  paper.  The  rule  of  three  was  gen- 
erally the  limit.  Geography  and  grammar 
received  little  attention  in  the  ordinary 
school.  Lindley  Murray's  Grrammar  and 
Comly's  Spelling  Book,  both  so  celebrated 
in  Pennsylvania,  were  not  published  until 
1795  and  1806. 

TTie  methods  of  teaching  differed  very 
much  from  our  modern  methods.  Wash- 
ington's Rules  of  Civility  and  Decent  Be- 
havior in  Company  and  Conversation, 
which  he  used  as  a  school  boy,  and  is  still 
preserved,  refers  to  rather  curious  things, 
as,  for  instance,  the  admonition:  "Kill  no 
vermin  such  as  fleas,  lice,  ticks,  etc.,  in 
the  sight  of  others." 

The  building  was  used  as  a  school 
house  for  30  years,  during  which  time, 
particularly  toward  the  end  of  that  period, 
Frankford  had  increased  very  rapidly  in 
population,  one  cause  of  this  being  the 
yellow  fever  outbreak  in  1793,  which 
drove  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
densely-populated  parts  of  the  city  to  the 
suburbs,  and  Frankford,  having  always 
enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  a  healthy 
place,  attracted  many  of  these  people. 
The  school  house  having  become  too  small 

'  8 


I'lir  till'  purposo  was  solil  to  Jmiios  Mnilin. 
will)  was  Si'rK<'!iiit-iit-AriMs  nf  iln*  Assem- 
bly, in  IT'.H)  for  ^f.T.'..  Aft.TwanI  for 
iiiaiiy  years  tlu>  hiiililiiiK  was  iist'd  ns  n 
(Iwflliiig;  it  was  Hiially  torn  ilowii  in  15HH. 
A  rcconl  of  tlii>  sail-  of  ilu-  Iniiiilitiv;  by 
tlu-  Inistt'i's  lins  liccii  prt'st'rvi-il,  ainl  it 
rt'cili's  ill  i|iiai!it   laiiKUHRe: 

That,  Whereas,  in  tiie  ye.'ir  of  onr  Lord 
17»!S  ilivers  iiihaliitimis  of  the  said  villat'e 
lieiii^:  (h'sirons  to  iiisiitnte  and  establish  a 
sehool  for  the  education  of  their  rliildreii, 
did  .associate  tlietnselves  for  that  purpose 
iiiid  o[)eMed  a  fmul  for  the  jairchase  of  u 
jot  and  the  erection  of  a  school  honse 
tiiereon,  and  divers  persons  to  the  nnniber 
of  MM\  and  upward  did  contribute  divers 
uneniial  sums  for  carrying  the  intentions 
of  the  subscribers  into  effect:  That  tlie 
sail!  William  Asiibridge,  since  deceased, 
and  Undolph  Neff  and  Isaiali  Worrell 
were  appointed  by  the  said  contribntors  a 
committee  to  purchase  a  suitable  lot  of 
ground  and  thereon  to  erect  a  building 
for  a  school  house,  at  the  expense  of  the 
said  contributors,  and  with  the  money  by 
them  subscribed;  and. 

Whereas,  In  piusiiance  of  the  said  plan 
John  Suttun  and  .^arah,  his  wife,  by  in- 
denture, bearing  date  the  1-tli  day  of 
September,  in  the  year  aforesaid,  etc., 
granted  and  conveyed  unto  the  said  Wil- 
liam Ashbridge,  Undolph  Neff  and  Isaiah 
Worrell  said  lot  in  trust,  that  they,  to- 
gether with  such  well-disposed  persons 
aiul  neighbors  as  should  join  with  them, 
might  erect  and  build  on  the  therein-men- 
tioned lot  of  ground  a  convenient  school 
house  for  the  u.se  of  the  said  subscribers 
or  contributors  toward  purchasing  the 
said  lot  and  building  the  said  school  house 
under  the  direction  of  such  managers  or 
trustees  as  shouUI  be  annually  chosen, 
etc.;  and, 

9 


Wliereas,  In  pursuance  of  the  trust  and 
confidence  aforesaid  the  said  William 
Ashbridge,  Rudolph  Neff  and  Isaiah  Wor- 
rell did  erect  upon  said  lot  a  school  house, 
and  the  same  has  beeu  occupied  as  such 
for  about  30  years  past  for  the  common 
l)enefit  not  only  of  the  children  of  the  said 
contributors,  but  of  the  other  inhabitants 
of  the  snid  village,  who,  Iniving  become 
more  numerous  and  the  children  requiring 
more  room  than  was  provided  originally, 
the  subject  of  enlarging  or  dividing  the 
same  has  lately  been  agitated  and  con- 
sidered by  the  managers  annually  chosen 
as  aforesaid,  and  those  of  said  contribu- 
tors and  other  subscribers  who  were  of 
the  religious  society  of  people  called 
Quakers,  being  as  nearly  as  could  be 
reasonably  estimated,  about  one-half  of 
the  whole  nunibei  and  value  of  the  origi- 
nal contributors,  have  expressed  their  de- 
sire to  divide  their  interest  from  the  other 
contributors,  professing  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, under  other  denominations,  and  it 
has  been  amicably  agreed  to  divide  the 
same  accordingly,  and  for  that  purpose  to 
sell  and  dispose  of  the  said  school  house 
and  lot  for  such  sum  of  money  as  the 
same  was  reasonably  worth,  and  divide 
the  purchase  money  equally  between  the 
contributors  of  the  society  of  people  called 
Quakers,  of  the  one  part,  and  all  the  other 
contributors  of  the  other  part. 

That  the  said  school  house  and  lot  hath 
been  viewed  and  appraised  by  persons 
mutually  selected  by  both  the  said  par- 
ties for  the  purpose,  and  at  a  general 
meeting  of  all  the  original  contriliutors 
to  the  fund  for  purchasing  the  said  lot  and 
erecting  the  said  building,  and  their  suc- 
cessors or  heirs  held  at  the  said  school 
house  on  the  eleventh  day  of  the  tenth 
mouth  (October)  now  last  past,  it  was 
unanimously  directed  and  agreed  that  Ru- 

10 


dolpli  Ni  IT  mill  Isaiah  WoiTcIl,  the  sur- 
viviiij;  fnistt'os,  sluxilil  dispose  t)f  tlie  suiil 
school  hous(>  iiiul  lot  with  the  a|>|iiirt«>- 
U)iii<-es  hy  piihiic  suli>  :tiul  Kraiit  iiiiil  foii- 
rey  the  sjiiih'  1i>  tin-  liijrhcst  biililur  in  ft'i* 
siiii|)lo  nrul  pay  oru-half  thi-  iimueys  aris- 
ing; tiii'ri'fnuii  iiiilo  a  coinmitlce  a|>pi)int- 
eil  by  the  Oxloril  I'ri'panitive  Mi'i'tiiiK 
of  the  people  called  Qunkers.  to  he  jipi)liiMl 
ttiward  huililiii;;  a  ssihoid  hoiisi"  nmler  the 
siparaie  dinvtion  of  said  meeting,  and 
Iheotherlmlf  f)f  said  moneys  unto  trustees 
appointed  by  the  other  eontributorM  and 
their  sueeossors  who  are  uni  lueniber.s  of 
that  society,  to  Ite  ai)plied  by  iheni  to- 
ward purchasing  a  lot  and  bnildiiiK  a 
si-ho(il  house  thereon  under  their  separate 
tlirection,  and  that  Isaae  Worrell,  Alex- 
ander Martin.  Robert  Morris,  Benjamin 
Love,  Nathan  liarper  and  Watkins  At- 
kinson,*or  a  majority  of  them,  be  a  coui- 
niittee  to  assist  and  attend  the  sale  and 
subscribe  their  names  as  witnesses  to  tlu' 
execution  of  tlie  deed  or  conveyance  from 
the  said  trustees  to  the  pin-chaser  or  pur- 
chasers of  the  said  school  house  and  lot 
with  the  appurtenances. 

That  the  said  survivint;  trustees,  after 
due  and  public  notice  first  given  by  adver- 
tising, did  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  October. 
1708,  at  the  village  of  Frankford  afore- 
said, expose  to  public  sale  the  said  school 
house,  lot  and  premises,  with  the  appur- 
tenances, when  the  snid  .lames  Martin. 
beiuK  the  highest  and  best  bidder,  became 
the  purchaser  thereof  for  the  price  or  sum 
of  six  hundred  and  .seventy-five  dollars. 

The  deed  was  executed  by  Undolph  Neff 
and  Isaiah  Worrell,  the  trustees,  witness- 
ed by  Is.'iac  Worrell,  Alexander  Martin, 
Robert   Morris.    Benjamin    Love,    Nathan 


♦The  naim-  is  wmmk-  \Vnt>i'>i>  A»kln»on  It 
corroi'l.  Ill"  wdji  aflerwunl  Horougli  Cl»rk  for 
man  y  yeais. 

11 


Harper  and  Watson  Atkinson  and  ac- 
knowledged before  Robert  Morris,  Justice 
of  the  Teace,  November  23,  1790.  Morris 
was  one  of  the  committee.  This  Morris 
appears  to  have  been  a  well-known  man  in 
Frankford,  and  until  a  few  days  since  I 
had  always  thought  it  was  Robert  !Mor- 
vis.  the  financier  of  the  Revolution;  but  I 
then  discovered  that  Robert  Morris  was  in 
the  debtors'  prison  from  February,  1798, 
to  August,  1801,  and  that  the  signature 
of  the  Frankford  Robert  Morris  to  an- 
other deed  which  I  have  in  my  possession 
is  very  different  from  that  of  Roliert  Mor- 
ris, the  financier. 

The  Oxford  Preparative  Meeting  used 
their  share  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  to 
erect  the  school  house  on  the  meeting 
house  lot  about  where  Oxford  street  now 
is,  which  was  used  until  about  IS.IO,  when 
it  was  torn  down  when  that  street  was 
opened  beyond  Mulberry  street. 

The  Trustees  appointed  by  the  other 
contributoriii  used  their  share  of  the  pro- 
ceeds to  buy  the  lot  on  Paul  street  upon 
which  the  Academy  Avas  afterward  built. 

The  Academy  was  chartered  by  the  Su- 
preme Court  on  March  30,  1799,  the  cor- 
porators being  Enoch  Edwards,  John 
Ruan,  Alexander  Martin,  Isaac  Worrell, 
John  Worrell  and  Peter  Neff,  under  the 
title  of  The  Trustees  of  the  Frankford 
Academy,  and  they  erected  the  building  in 
1880,  which,  not  excepting  the  Lyceum 
Building,  has  probably  had  more  to  do 
with  the  history  of  Frankford  than  any 
other.  I  suggest  that  a  history  of  this 
building,  church,  school,  town  hall  and 
jail,  as  it  was  at  various  times,  should  be 
written   and   preserved   by  this  society. 


12 


Recollections  of 
Trankford. 


IS...)- IS, 


By  James  Price,  D.  I). 

Pastor  of  the  Twelfth  United  Pre.Hbytcr- 

ian  Cliiircti,  of  I'hiladcljihia. 


Publislieil  under  the  OtrectUn  of  the  ConimiUee 
on  History  of  the  Hi«tori(«l  Society. 

T  have  been  requested  by  The  His- 
torical Society  of  Fraiikford  tlirongh  its 
honored  secretary  to  write  n  paper  on 
"The  Frankford  I  Knew  Between  185'. 
and  1873."  The  paper,  however,  may 
OGver  a  soniewliat  wider  field  than  that, 
since  for  a  short  period,  say,  from  188'J 
to  abont  18.*^S,  I  made  this  place  my 
home,  and  may  therefore  be  said  to  have 
been  a  resident  of  the  place  for  a  quarter 
of  a  century;  and  I  may  add  it  is  up- 
wards of  fifty-three  years  since  I  first 
saw   Frankford. 

I  would  here  bej:  leave  to  say  that 
I  must  not  be  held  responsible  ahvay.s  for 
the  correctness  of  my  statements,  which 
should  in  many  ca.sos  be  rather  called 
impressions;  and  these  being  largely 
based  on  memory  may  in  a  period  of 
over  fifty  years  occasionally  vary  from 
truth.  Pertnit  me  also  to  say  that  in 
rel'erring  to  persons,  places  and  scenes 
I  may  not  always  speak  of  the  most 
noted  persons;  may  overlook  a  more  ini- 
(lortant  place  and  fail  to  describe  a  more 
charming  scene.  I  shall  only  try  to  speak 
of  Frankford  as  I  knew  it.  and  my 
paper   shall    priiu-ipally    dial    with    recol- 

13 


lections  and  shall  not  aspire  'to  the  dig- 
nity  of  history. 

I   desire — 

First:  To  speak  of  Frankford  as  I 
knew  it  when  I  came  here.  Most  prob- 
ably I  am  correct  in  stating  that  the 
earliest  settlers  of  this  place  were 
Swedes,  Swiss  and  Germans,  and  in 
later  times  when  factories  were  start- 
ed I  think  we  may  add  English;  although 
iifty  years  ago  this  town  was  thoroughly 
an  American  one. 

The  Frankford  of  1855  was  to  me  very 
different  from  that  of  to-day;  streets  hav- 
ing been  multiplied;  new  factories  built; 
dwelling  houses  trebled  or  quadrupled  in 
number;  and  vastly  increased  in  size, 
cost  and  splendor.  Just  what  streets 
had  been  opened  and  how  far  when  I 
came  here  I  cannot  say  definitely.  I 
think  there  were  no  streets  north  of  Har- 
rison east  or  west  of  Frankford  avenue, 
except  it  might  be  Willow,  until  you 
reached  Rocky  Hill  at  now  Bridge  street, 
which  Avas  then  a  lane.  Harrison  street 
was  the  north  Leiper  street  of  that  day, 
and  was  open,  say,  from  Penn  street 
to  Bridge  lane,  the  finest  houses  being  on 
the  north  side  from  Frankford  avenue  to 
Willow  street.  South  of  this  part  of 
Harrison  street  was  a  large  piece  of  open 
ground,  extending  some  three  squares 
each  way,  where  during  the  Rebellion  a 
regiment  of  soldiers  was  encamped,  to 
which,  on  a  Sabbath  afternoon,  the 
writer  preached  with  at  least  great  in- 
tPrest  to  himself. 

From  Harrison  to  Orthodox  street, 
Frankford  avenue  on  the  west  side  was 
tolerably  well  occupied  with  dwellings 
and  stores,  among  which  was  an  at- 
tractive house  and  grounds  named  "Vine 
Cottage,"  but  west  of  the  Main  street 
at  these  points  the  buildiugs  were  scat- 
14 


^^^^^^B  h; 

^'"'  ^^^^1 

^^.     ^^^^^^H 

b  ^^^^H 

In 

JAMES  PRICE.  D.  D. 


tiniiij,'.  I  tliiiik  Orthodox  street  was 
t>l)»'ued  from  Adams  struotor  road  to  Ta- 
ooiiy  street;  but  west  of  I-'ratikfonl  avc- 
mie  there  were  few  ImiMinus  in  u<l<l>- 
fion  to  the  Frieuds'  ^leetiiiK  House  ami 
Mr.  Ovk'ritij»totr3  phice.  I  faiuy  LfipiT 
street  was  opened  from  Chureh  street 
(lUiirry  to  Oxford  road,  but  the  two  priu- 
cipal  buildings  on  it  above  Orthodox 
street  were  the  handsome  mansions  of 
William  Overinj^tou  and  iU-njamin  How- 
land. 

North  of  Orthodox  street  and  west 
of  Fruukford  avenue  there  was  a  large 
plot  of  ground,  say,  three  squares  each 
way,  known  as  the  "Red  Barn  Lot,"  and 
which  in  legendary  statement  was  .said 
to  be  deficient  in  water,  and  worse  still, 
it  was  declared  to  be  without  u  good 
title;  but  we  of  the  Uuited  Presbyterian 
Church,  together  with  numbers  of  the 
best-known  people  of  the  place,  braved 
the  objections,  purchased  lots,  built  upon 
them  and  found  them  every  way  desir- 
able. To-day  this  is  the  choicest  and 
most  elegant  part  of  Fraukford. 

Sellers  street  did  not  extend  west  of 
what  is  now  Wingohocking  street,  but 
bended  to  Adam  street;  and  Unity  street, 
west  of  Main,  euded  at  Sellers  street. 
No  houses  were  found  on  the  north  side 
of  Church  street  between  Peun  and 
Leiper,  there  being  there  a  quarry  as 
on  the  south  side  of  said  street.  Ed- 
wards street  from  Church  to  Adams 
street  was  opened,  but  only  had  on  the 
west  side  the  old  Baptist,  later  the 
liiited  I'resbyterian  Church  building,  a 
brewery  and  a  few  plain  houses  at  Adams 
street,  but  the  Brooks  and  Womrath 
properties  extended  to  this  street.  1 
remember  the  Brooks  and  Womrath 
places  as  among  the  handsomest  in 
Frankford,    the    latter    with    its    famous 

15 


summer  house  linked  with  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  fame,  a  region  now 
covered   with  brick  dwellings. 

Adams  street  from  Leiper  to  Frank- 
ford  avenue  does  not  look  much  differ- 
ent to-day  from  what  it  did  fifty  years 
ago.  There  still  stand  the  houses  of 
Heigh,  Shuttleworth,  Wolf  and  Lati- 
mer, all  having  connection  with  our 
church;  and  in  whose  homes  we  used 
to  hold  prayer,  or  as  Miss  Julia  Welsh 
used  to  call  them  "Cottage  Meetings," 
and  there,  too,  are  the  old  homes  of  the 
Deals,  Thorns  and  others  who  helped 
us  in  our  church  work. 

East  of  Frankford  avenue  and  on  both 
sides  of  the  Trenton  or  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  Frankford  extended,  but  there 
were  few  buildings  in  that  region  ex- 
cept such  factories  as  those  of  Briggs, 
Garsed,  Rowland  and  others.  I  am  un- 
der the  impression  that  a  few  years 
after  I  came  here  Kensington  avenue 
was  opened  from  York  street  to  Frank- 
ford, but  there  were  on  it  few,  if  any, 
buildings  from  Adams  street  to  Harrow- 
gate;  and  from  there  to  York  street  there 
was  not,  I  fancy,  a  single  house  except 
the  old  red  toll  gate  house  at  Hart  lane. 
The  old  mansion  below  Buckius  street 
on  the  west  side  was  in  later  times  oc- 
cupied by  John  R.  Savage,  Esq.  I  heard 
a  gentleman  in  the  street  car  once  ask 
him,  "'Who  farms  this  place  where  you 
live?"     His  answer  was,   "I  do  not." 

Tacony  street  from  Church  to  Bridge 
street  had  on  it  very  few  buildings;  on 
Ihe  east  side  a  Httle  below  Church  street 
there  was  a  fine  old  mansion  standing 
back  and  surrounded  by  trees,  known  as 
Wain  Grove,  and  a  little  north  was  an 
old  Colonial  hall,  known  as  Port  Royal, 
where  resided  Rev.  Mr.  Lukens,  who 
kept   a  classical  school.     Farther   up   on 

16 


(lie  west  side,  in  what  is  in.w  Wliite- 
hiill,  wns  n  very  hiuidsome  place,  bcnii- 
tified  witli  trees  mid  flowers.  Kast  of 
Frimkford  aveiiiie  from  Ortlioddx  strei-t 
to  HridRe  lane  and  ni'iir  I'>ride.sbiirg  there 
were  open  fields,  small  parta  of  which 
were  enclosed  for  cultivation.  It  was 
thronRh  those  lots  that  the  employes  of 
the  Arsenal  and  Bridesburg  factories 
used   to   take  near  cuts. 

Frankford  avenue  was  at  that  time 
the  great  thoroughfare  from  north  to 
south  and  the  business  centre  of  our 
town.  Here  professional  men  had  their 
offices;  here  were  the  leading  stores  and 
hotels   and  a   number  of  the   churches. 

I  have  just  been  speaking  of  the  Main 
street,  or  as  we  now  call  it,  Frankfonl 
avenue.  Will  you  allow  me  to  chaper- 
one  you  along  this  ancient  boulevard  and 
tell  yon  in  my  imperfect  way  as  to  some 
of  my  recollections  of  persons,  places  and 
dcenes;  and  let  me  here  say  once  for  all 
that  I  am  very  deeply  indebted  to  the 
interesting  and  valuable  papers  of  Doc- 
tors Dickson  and  Allen  and  to  the  mod- 
est but  charming  paper  of  Miss  Helen 
Burns  for  the  refreshmetit  of  my  mem- 
ory, those  papers  having  been  thought- 
fully and  kindly  furnisheil  to  me  by  Mis.-* 
Wright,  the  honored  secretary  of  the 
society. 

Let  us  begin  our  tramp  at  what  is 
now  the  Frankford  Junction  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Bailroad;  but  I  must  re- 
mind you  that  at  that  time  there  was 
no  cross-town  or  Delaware  Bridge  Hail- 
road.  Some  of  you  m.-iy  perhaps  re- 
member those  glass  balls  glistening  in 
the  sun  in  Mr.  Geisse's  place  on  the 
west  side  of  the  avenue,  and  above  that 
there  was  an  old  sto?ie  house  very  near 
the  street;  then  opposite  that  on  the 
east  side  was  a  pretty  house  with  wings 

17 


and  attractive  grounds,  -vs-here  dwelt 
widow  Houston  and  family,  who  attend- 
ed the  Presbyterian  Church. 

•Now  we  have  really  entered  Goose- 
town,  but  which  is  now  better  known 
as  Aramingo.  On  the  west  side  of  the 
avenue,  now  covered  by  the  beautiful 
grounds  of  Mr.  Schlicter,  was  a  two-story 
brick  school-house,  where  Mr.  Cheston 
was  principal.  I  was  often  called  upon 
by  him  to  speak  at  his  school  celebrations, 
which  were  occasionally  held  in  the  Mar- 
shall school-house,  Wheatsheaf  lane  was 
then  just  where  it  is  now;  in  addition  to 
Chalkley  Hall  there  was  on  its  south 
side  a  row  of  plain  houses,  in  one  of 
which  lived  an  old  Scotch  lady,  named 
Horn,  who  attended  my  church,  and 
along  the  lane  I  often  traveled  to  visit 
another  family  of  my  parish  at  Martin's 
Dye  Works. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  avenue  and 
above  this  lane  was  the  beautiful  place 
of  Mr.  Brooks,  and  farther  up  the  house 
of  Mr.  Stanhope;  then  still  nearer  the 
street  was  a  two-story  plastered  house 
occupied  by  William  Smith,  whose  fam- 
ily was  connected  with  our  church;  Mr. 
x-'Smith  was  a  manufacturer,  whose  cot- 
■"ton  factory  was  east  of  his  dwelling. 
Young  Will  Smith  was  a  singer  of  Irish 
songs,  and  in  connection  with  our  church 
often  delighted  the  people  of  Frankford. 
Farther  up  and  on  the  north  side  of 
Frankford  Creek  stood  the  old  yellow 
D\ifQeld  mansion,  then  occupied  by  a  Mr. 
Murray,  a  member  of  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church.  In  the  Smith  and  ^Mur- 
ray  parlors  our  church  often  held  evan- 
gelistic meetings. 

Above  Adams  street  and  still  on  the 
east  side  of  the  avenue  was  a  three-story 
rough-cast  house,  the  home  of  the  well- 
known  William  Baird.  I  remember  his 
18 


Krundfuthrr'.s  clock  stiiiidiiig  in  the  par- 
liir,  wliose  case  was  I'litiroly  uf  K^ana 
iiiaili'  by  his  friend,  Mr.  Allt'ljack  in  hiter 
tinn-s  a  Walnut  .slrot't  watchmaki-r  ninl 
jeweler.  On  a  certain  occasion  I  at- 
tcndod  and  pnrfinily  olllciatcd  at  the  wed- 
dinjj  of  Wis  sun  .lauu's,  when  I  received  a 
fee  of  fifty  doMars  from  tiio  father  and 
twenty  from  the  son,  althonKJi  I  was  only 
an  assistant,  Dr.  Mnrpliy  being  the  prin- 
(■il)al.  A  little  farther  np  were  the  bnild- 
ings  forniing  Mr.  Baird's  factory,  in  the 
second  story  of  one  of  which,  with  win- 
dows and  entrance  on  the  avenne,  was  a 
()retty  audience  room  which  for  years  the 
Fraukford  U.  P.  Church  was  allowed  to 
occupy,  rent  free.  Above  Green  street 
was  Mr.  Wilson's  store  and  tinshop. 
where  he  made  sheetiron  stoves  that  with 
care  were  supposed  to  last  for  a  lifetime. 
T  think  Fannce's  Hotel  and  Odd  Fellows' 
Hall  do  not  look  much  different  from 
what  they  did  half  a  century  ago.  What 
a  memorable  building  is  that  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Hall!  All  sorts  of  common  and  odd 
meetings  have  been  held  there — fairs,  sup- 
pers, festivals,  balls,  lectures,  concerts, 
exhibitions.  Sabbath  school  and  public 
worship  exercises.  During  the  IniildiiiK 
of  the  I'resbyferian  Church  Dr.  Wads- 
worth,  who  was  styled  the  ".\rch  Street 
Thunder  Blast,"  preached.  I  remember 
he  read  his  sermon  and  I  remember  al.ii) 
that  he  tied  his  .sermon  to  the  Bible.  Our 
United  Presbyterian  Church  worshiped  in 
the  lower  and  upper  hall  for  a  time,  but 
somehow  or  other  it  never  seemed  Zion 
or  homelike. 

In  the  rear  of  where  is  now  a  lire  com- 
jmny's  hou>!e  and  the  pis  otllces,  was,  as 
some  may  recollect,  the  old  market  house 
between  Main  and  Paul  streets.  In  the 
summer  of  IStJG  the  writer,  in  evangelistic 
enthusiasm,  b^gan  street  preaching  in  this 

19 


market  place,  the  time  being  6.30  P.  M. 
on   Sabbath   evenings.    Mounting   one  of 
the  butchers'  stalls  and  hanging  his  hat 
on  a  meat  hook,  he  tried  to  interest  the 
standing  audience  of  20O  or  300  people 
with  the  Gospel     message.    Before     this 
service   he   usually     conducted     worship 
twice  in  his  own  congregation,  this,  with 
the  ditHculty  of  speaking     in     open  air, 
caused  his  throat  to  show  signs  of  rebel- 
lion,  and  for  six  weeks  silence  was  en- 
joined on  him  until  cured   by  the  noted 
ministers'  throat  specialist.  Dr.  Hall,  of 
New  York.    Duriug  the  disability  of  the 
writer  Dr.   Murphy     and     clergymen  of 
Kensington  assisted   each  with   one   ser- 
mon.   Dr.    Robert   Burns,   father  of   our 
present  noted  Dr.    Burns,  lived  and  had 
his  office  in  a  three-story  rough-cast  house 
below  Church  street,   and  the  yard  con- 
tained handsome  flowers.    The  venerable 
stone  house  of  Dr.  Leake  has  apparently 
experienced  little  change  in  the     passing 
years.    The  old  yellow  plastered  Presby- 
terian   Church  stood   exactly   where    the 
new  and  elegant  one  does,  and  the  par- 
sonage looks  as  it  did  a  generation  ago, 
when  I  was  accustomed  to  enjoy  Dr.  and 
Mrs.   Murphy's  teas.    The  Roberts  drug 
store  was  under  the  management  of  Mr. 
James  Burns   and    later   of   Mrs.   James 
Burns  and  her  son. 

Farther  up  on  the  same  side  were  the 
dry  goods  stores  of  Mrs.  Foulkrod  and 
Mrs.  Buckius  as  also  the  grocery  stores 
of  Messrs.  Gilmore,  Fries  and  Emery. 
There  were  then  no  Henry  Herbert 
School  nor  Frankford  Avenue  Methodist 
or  Baptist  Churches.  The  Bancroft, 
Thompson  and  Haworth  homes  were  the 
prominent  ones  above  Harrison  street. 

Retracing  our  steps  to  Adams  street 
and  west  side  of  Frankford  avenue  from 
that  to   Kensington  avenue,   there     were 

20 


Old    Market   House 

When-  iiiiw  stntuls  the  <iiis  <  )tticf,   rcilitf  St;iti<iii  and  Kin-  llnis*- 


Womratli    Gateway 

At  wliat  is  now  the  junction  of  Frankford  and  K»>nf<ingt«>n  Avenupp. 


pill  ill  lioviscs,  shops  niid  one  or  Iwu  sa- 
loons. Woinrnth's  heaiitifiil  Kroiiiids 
ri'Mchod  the  stroot  iiinl  witc  Hopfirafnl 
from  it  hy  a  wide  iron  or  wood  j;"'*':  "•'•'ir 
or  adjoiuliiK  these  Rrouiids  -whs  a  two- 
sloi-.v  frame  house  whicli  was  the  Frank- 
ford  I'ost  Oltlci',  of  which  John  l)cal,  an 
I'Ider  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  was 
postmaster,  who,  tojjether  with  his  iir- 
conimodatiiif,'  dau>;htrr.  handed  out  to  us 
letters  that  spoke  of  husine.ss,  frieiidshi(» 
or  love.  Thorn's  and  Mann's  bakeries. 
(ireenalf,'h's  uroeery  and  ilry  goods,  Ken- 
yon's  new  and  second-hand  furniture  and 
Bannister's  shoe  stores  were  establish- 
ments well  known  at  that  time.  ITie 
litiuor  store  at  the  t-oruer  of  CLurch 
street  wus  not  a  checrins  sight  to  the  tem- 
perance people.  On  the  opposite  corner 
was  a  neat  two-story  frame  cottage  with 
a  flower  garden  in  front,  where  residctj 
Widow  Gibson  with  her  three  daughters. 
Miss  Mary  Gibson  was  an  accomplished 
musician  and  a  teacher  of  music,  and 
many  a  delightful  rrening  has  the  writer 
.siiciit  there  listening  to  her  playing  and 
singing  such  familiar  pieces  as  "The  Ivy 
(Jreen,"  "Listen  to  the  Mocking  Bird" 
and  others.  In  this  block  also  lived  Dr. 
Lamb  and  Hon.  Richardson  L.  Wright,  a 
member  of  the  State  Legislature.  Here 
were  also  the  properties  of  Mr.  Side- 
l>othnm,  wliose  family  was  well  known. 
Across  the  alley  from  l»r.  Guernsey's 
place  was  111*'  dry  gomls  store  of  Morri- 
son, afterward  Murjihy  &  Coo|>er's,  in 
which  house  the  writer  lodged  for  years. 

Next  door  lived  the  noted  newsman, 
William  C.  Shenrd,  I  think  it  was  ssid 
he  was  at  one  time  a  local  preacher  in 
England.  He  was  e<iually  at  home  in  the 
delivery  of  a  moral  lecture  or  a  political 
speech.  He  was  n  tine  business  man, 
kind  to  every  one  and  a  nio«it  useful  eiti- 

21 


zen.  He  was  also  possessed  of  keen  wit, 
as  illustrated  in  tbe  following:  One  day 
he  saw  Daniel  Murphy,  his  next-door 
neighbor  (a  man  noted  for  his  simple 
piety)  entering  a  street  car,  and  Mrs. 
Doctor  Leake  was  also  running  to  take 
the  same  car,  and  Mr.  Sheard  cried  out 
to  her:  "Take  a  seat  near  that  old  gen- 
tleman, and  you  will  be  likely  to  get  into 
heaven." 

There  was  no  national  bank  in  Frank- 
ford  in  the  '50s;  passing  where  it  now 
stands  at  the  corner  of  Unity  street,  there 
we  found  John  McMullin's  grocery  store 
and  a  little  farther  up  was  dear  old 
Sarah  Lackey's  milliner  shop,  who  was 
famed  for  making  the  nicest  old  ladies' 
caps  in  town.  The  stone  Episcopal 
Church,  with  its  pretty  grounds  and  trees, 
always  looked  restful  and  village  church- 
like. Passing  up  to  a  little  above  Ortho- 
dox street  we  reach  the  Jolly  Post  Hotel, 
owned  and  kept  by  Joseph  Comly,  w'ho 
also  acted  as  an  auctioneer.  The  hotels 
of  that  day  as  distinguished  from  mere 
wine  shops  were  accustomed  to  entertain 
travelers,  and,  I  suppose,  generally  sold 
liquor.  There  was  at  that  time  Faunce's 
Jolly  Post,  Seven  Stars  and  the  General 
Pike  Hotel.  It  was  below  Church  street, 
and  was  kept  by  a  Mr.  Thornton.  I  may 
say  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thornton  were  as  re- 
fined and  as  much  respected  as  about  any 
persons  in  Frankford.  I  remember  Mr. 
Thornton  as  a  tall,  spare  man  with  pale 
face,  gentlemanly  in  his  bearing  and 
very  unhke  some  of  the  red-faced  boni- 
faces  who  occasionally  preside  over  so- 
called  modern  hostelries. 

As  I  have  already  hinted,  Frankford 
was  small  when  I  first  knew  it,  compared 
to  what  it  is  now.  In  1854  it  ceased  to 
be  a  borough,  was  incorporated  with  the 
city  and  became  a  part  of  the  Twenty- 
22 


third  ward,  tiiid  wns  said  nt  tliat  time  to 
c-oiitain  IKKX)  iiiliubitunl.s.  I  have  Heeii 
diffiTtMit  nfi<)\mts  of  tlit>  popiilatiiiii  at 
various  pt-riods  since  that  liiue.  In  a 
piihiloation  of  1880  descriptive  of  I'hila- 
il(>l|>hia  the  pDpuIatiun  of  thin  place  is  put 
down  at  :i(;,<!44;  surely  many  thousamis 
mu.st  have  been  added  since.  Tlic  mode 
of  conveyance  to  the  heart  of  the  city  5<> 
years  aijo  was  by  tW(»-iiorse  omnibuses; 
tlie  time  retjuired  for  the  journey  was  one 
hour,  not  much  more  than  at  present 
with  our  superior  motive  power.  At  thut 
time  the  joiiriioy  in  its  northt-rn  liiilf  hiy 
tliriiujjh  green  fields  and  tlower  gardens, 
and  although  the  omnibus  straw  to  keep 
passengers'  feet  warm  in  winter  might 
liavf  a  musty  smell,  through  the  open 
window  on  a  summ»T  day  the  rider  snif- 
fed the  odor  of  roses  and  honeysuckles. 
Siicli  was  Frankford  50  or  even  40  years 
ago. 

Having  taken  a  glance  at  Frankrod  as 
a  phice,  I  shall  now  call  attention  to  some 
of  the  prominent  people  in  the  various 
professions  and  trades.  As  State  Repre- 
sentatives of  my  time  I  would  mention 
llonorables  Richardson  L.  Wright  and 
Kihviird  G.  Lee.  whose  upright  character 
honorable  lives  and  faithful  services  re- 
quire no  eulogy  from  me.  To  the  cler- 
gymen of  the  place  I  may  refer  when  I 
come  to  speak  of  the  churches.    The  ut- 

torneys  with  whom  I  was  best  acquainted 
and  some  of  whom  were  employed  by  our 
Church  and  myself,  were. Tuhn  Shallcross, 
George  F.  IJorie,  Samuel  Wakeling, 
Joseph  Bail,  William  Grew  and  Colonel 
Thomas  Dutiield,  all  of  whom  I  say  were 
connected  with  old  and  well-known  famil- 
ies of  Frankford. 

Mr.  Shallcross,  like  his  brother-in-law. 
Hon.  E.  G.  Lee,  took  an  active  part  in 
t»niperance  efforts  and  was  prominent  in 

23 


all  literary  and  benevolent  schemes  which 
were  proposed.  I  have  a  note  from  him 
dated  the  3d  of  March,  1859,  inviting  me 
to  a  library  celebration  to  be  held  in 
Wright's  Institute,  showing  that  literary 
matters  in  Frankford  50  years  ago 
were  not  forgotten.  The  name  of  Attor- 
ney Borie  comes  up  to  me  with  interest 
when  I  remember  that  he  stated  to  some 
one  that  he  wrote  the  will  for  the  well- 
known  William  Baird,  in  which  he  be- 
(lueathed  to  Pastors  Murphy  and  Price 
$100  a  year  during  their  lives;  but  it  also 
turned  out  that  Mr.  Baird  changed  that 
part  of  his  will  before  he  died. 

I  knew  Colonel  Thomas  Duffield  well, 
as  also  his  accomplished  wife.  I  have  in 
my  possession  a  note  from  him  dated 
September  7,  1863,  in  which  he  solicits 
my  favor  when  he  was  a  candidate  for 
the  House  of  Representatives. 

Among  the  physicians,  to  some  of 
whom  I  was  specially  indebted  for  resto- 
ration to  health  I  recall  Drs.  Burns 
(father  of  Dr.  Robert  Bruce  Burns), 
Deacon,  Leake,  Guernsey,  Allen,  and 
among  the  dentists  Dr.  Dixon.  I  also 
recollect  Dr.  Lamb  as  a  prominent  gen- 
tleman, who  had  retired  from  practice. 
Without  detracting  from  the  others,  I 
think  I  may  say  that  at  that  time  Dr. 
Burns  stood  at  the  head  of  his  profession. 
He  was  scholarly  and  eminent  both  in 
medicine  and  surgery.  I  have  heard 
that  he  and  his  distinguished  son,  the 
present  Dv.  Burns,  of  Frankford,  used 
often  to  sit  up  during  the  greater  part  of 
the  night  reading  together  works  on  their 
professien. 

Dr.  Burns  was  also  an  orator.  On 
Memorial  Days  in  Cedar  Hill  Cemetery 
he  often  occupied  the  platform  with  us 
Frankford  ministers.  He  also  dressed 
with  vmcommon  neatness  and  taste.  Of- 
24 


Ii'ii  have  I  lici'ii  iiii|>resncd  with  liis  fiiin 
ni)i)enriuice  niul  military  unit  as  ho  piis.s- 
ed  up  the  iivciiii)-.  cIimI  in  u  iii>nt-tittitiK 
suit,  witli  piilisht'd  boots  mid  whiti' 
yloves.  Chiirles  Coopi-r,  a  youufj  uhmm- 
titT  (if  Miy  iliurc'h  ami  (Uh-  nf  his  patients, 
was  out-  day  ushiTfd  into  liis  cham- 
bers,  and  he  dcchiit'd  he  had  rarriy,  if 
ever,  beheld  sut-h  no  extensive  wardrobe. 
With  Dr.  Ijoakc  I  was  very  well  uc- 
i|uainlod;  he.  with  Dr.  Hums,  wiis  one 
of  my  physicians,  and  ofti-n  did  lio  re- 
lieve me  from  bilious  ailmiMits.  the  fniit 
of  hiirli  living  and  little  exercise.  l>r. 
Leake  was  very  sociable  and  a  Rcnial 
<-nm|>anion.  IM'S.  I'lirns  and  I)e:icon 
once  raised  me  up  from  si  five  weeks* 
typhoid  trouble,  and  enabled  me  while 
sitiinsr  up  iu  my  bed  to  marry  a  yonnj; 
Mr.  Whitaker,  of  Cedar  Grove,  to  a 
handsome  lady.  Dr.  Deacon  was  also 
distinguished  for  genial  sinii)Iicity.  lie 
and  I  were  both  fond  of  line  watches, 
and  he  would  uften  take  pride  in  showing 
me  a  fine  time-piece  which  during  his 
European  tour  he  had  purchased  in 
Geneva,  and  we  would  then  compare  it 
with    my    .hirpensen. 

Dr.  Burns  had  not  mm-h  faith  in  and 
less  patience  with  ohl  lady  medical  pr.'ic- 
titioners.  Hearinjr  occasionally  of  an 
aged  housewife,  wlm  In  lur  innocence 
and  kindness  and  during  his  absence  had 
prescribed  for  one  of  liis  patients,  he 
would  indignantly  ask,  "Where  did  she 
get   her  dii)loma?" 

Among  others  of  the  higher  and  e<Ju- 
cateil  ladies  and  genllemen  of  Frankford 
who  were  professed  teachers.  I  remem- 
ber the  Uev.  Mr.  Lukens,  Miss  Work, 
afterwards  Mrs.  Edmonds.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson,  and  I  am  sorry  I  cannot  re- 
call the  names  of  the  principals  and  prom- 
inent teachers  in  the  ^larshnll  and  other 

25 


schools.  I  do,  however,  remember  with 
pleasure  my  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Ches- 
ton  and  his  daughters;  also  with  the 
Misses   Rohrer,   Emery   and    Irvin. 

Frankford  iu  my  time  had  two  fine  fe- 
male seminaries,  one  having  the  roman- 
tic name  of  Allen  Grove  Seminary,  its 
halls  being  in  the  old  mansion  above  Har- 
rison street,  of  which  Mrs.  Thompson 
was  the  principal.  The  other  seminary 
was  a  very  popular  institution,  which 
held  its  sessions  in  a  large  brick  build- 
ing below  Sellers  street.  This  school  was 
started  and  managed  by  Miss  Work,  and 
among  her  accomplished  and  attractive 
teachers  were  the  Misses  Mary  and  Liz- 
zie Price,  sisters  of  Mrs.  Salhe  Ball,  of 
Frankford.  Miss  Work  married  a  Mr. 
Edmonds,  a  Presbyterian  minister  of  Ab- 
secon,  N.  J.,  and  she  had  a  brother,  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  who  often  preach- 
ed iu  the  churches  around  this  place. 
The  writer  was  from  time  to  time  in- 
vited and  enjoyed  being  present  at  the 
closing  term  exercises  of  these  semina- 
ries. 

Among,  the  musical  people  of  Frank- 
ford with  whom  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
some  acquaintance  were  some  connect- 
ed with  the  families  of  the  Worrell^ 
Seddons,  Yonkera,  Gibsons,  McCaffertya 
Watmonghs,  Wilsons,  Dungans,  Smiths, 
Murrays  and  Martins.  With  the  vocal 
and  instrumental  efforts  of  these  and 
others  our  United  Presbyterian  Church 
was  often  favored  and  I  myself  was 
charmed. 

I  have  also  had  a  more  or  less  ac- 
quaintance with  the  newspaper  proprie- 
tors of  Frankford.  The  weekly  papers 
best  known  in  my  time  were  the  "Her- 
ald," "Dispatch,"  "Gazette"  and  "Glean- 
er." I  knew  editors  Axe  and  Foulkrod 
especially,    and   I    can    testify   that   they 

26 


were  iii>riK'lit,  futthful  and  fi-urless 
workers  for  the  public  good.  It  wn.i 
tliiriiiK'  nil  fxteiidod  tour  of  iniiic  in  Kii- 
roiif  ill  tlie  Hiimiucr  aud  fail  of  1SS<!  that 
the  "Diapatch'  was  pleased  to  publinh 
a  few  of  my  travel  lettcrB. 

The  first  one  was  styird  l)y  the  editor, 
"A  Fraiii<fordian  on  the  Ocean,"  and 
was  written  on  the  steamer  "Nebraska," 
and  in  it  tlie  vessel's  passengers  are  i)lio- 
iKgrupbed  and  ocean  scenery  was  p«jr- 
trayed  until  Glasgow  is  reached.  The 
second  is  lioadod,  "On  the  Rhine  Steam- 
er." .Mthninrli  (bis  is  written  on  tiie 
romantic  Kliine  it  deals  with  the  charms 
of  Scotland  and  Ireland.  The  third  com- 
nmnication  is  from  Lnzerne,  Switzer- 
land, and  tells  of  a  journey  from  Gla.s- 
Kow  to  London  on  a  train,  called  "The 
Flyin;;  Scotsman,"  and  then  speaks  of 
wanderings  from  Antwerp  to  Stra.s- 
bourgh.  The  ne.xt  and  last  is  written 
from  "Sunny  Italy,"  and  describes  the 
tourists'  entrance  by  the  Mont  Cenis 
funnel  road  and  the  parting  with  the 
fannius  lake  country  by  the  wonderful 
St.  Gothard  Railway,  and  it  also  de- 
scribes a  most  delightful  meeting  at  Lake 
Como  with  .lobn  Wanamaker  and  a 
young  clergyman  naint'd  Lowrie,  of 
Philadelphia. 

The  tradespeople  of  Frankford  half  a 
century  ago  were  a  well-known,  upright 
and  honored  class  of  person.s.  To  .some 
of  the  grocers  and  dry  goods  people  I 
have  already  referred:  to  the  former  I 
might  add  Messrs.  Gilniore  and  ISoltun. 
Our  winter  fires  were  furnished  with 
coal  from  the  yards  of  Rowlands  and 
Iliiles,  and  among  the  carpenters  who 
erected,  altered  or  repaired  our  build- 
ings were  Taylor  and  Foulkrod.  William 
Irwin  and  Mr.  Keas.  The  Taylor  fam- 
ily  belonged   to   the    United    Presbyterian 

27 


Church,  although  Mr.  Taylor  was  not 
a  professor  and  only  occasionally  attend- 
ed divine  service,  and  of  Mr.  Irwin,  it 
may  be  said  he  built  the  new  Presbyteri- 
an Church,  his  shops  being  on  Unity 
near  Sellers  street. 

Our  hardware  wtis  usually  purchased 
at  Holdens  or  Wrights,  and  among  the 
painters  we  had  the  Holmes  Brothers, 
Woodington,  Sykes  and  Creighton.  Mr. 
Sykes  and  his  family  were  connected  with 
our  church.  In  erecting  our  new  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  18G9,  we  em- 
ployed the  Sykes  and  Creighton  firm  to 
paint  and  varnish  the  pews  of  our  lec- 
ture room,  but  the  material  used  in  the 
varnish  continued  to  have  such  an  affec- 
tion for  the  garments  of  the  worship- 
pers that  the  back  of  the  seats  had  to 
be  covered  with  cloth. 

Among  our  best-known  masons  and 
bricklayers  were  the  Messrs.  Deal,  Swope 
and  Foulkrod. 

There  were  a  number  of  the  Deal  broth- 
ers and  their  sons;  they  had  the  repu- 
tation of  doing  honest  work,  and  so  they 
stood  very  high  among  our  people.  I 
think  I  remember  Mr.  Joseph  Deal  as 
a  frail,  pale-faced,  but  very  bright  per- 
son, who  as  a  gentleman  lived  at  the 
corner  of  Paul  and  Sellers  streets,  and 
I  believe  it  was  he  that  I  first  heard 
de-scribe  a  newly-married  couple  as  mak- 
ing their  wedding  tour  to  Manayunk,  a 
phraseology  which  I  have  often  used 
igince.  We  often  purchased  our  bread, 
cake  and  cream  at  Thorn's  or  Mann's,  and 
the  male  proprietors  of  these  establish- 
ments being  jolly  persons  always  met 
us  with  a  smile.  When  our  friends  died 
:ind  we  had  to  lay  their  precious  bodies 
beneath  the  grasses  and  the  roses  we 
committed  the  business  to  Messrs.  Stan- 
ger,  Allen  or  Markle.  Often  meeting  Mr. 
28 


Staiiicor,  Sr.,  at  services  on  siu-li  occa- 
sions, lio  sonit'tinips  iii(|ii!rc(I  of  ine,  "Do 
you  think  a  niinister  can  lio  any  piod 
in  liis  address  at  a  funeral  hy  speukint; 
over  fifteen   minutes?" 

I  tliink  the  best-known  lumher  firms 
of  that  day  were  llayea  &  Ellis,  whose' 
yard  was  on  the  avenue  helow  Arrott 
street,  with  I'axton,  Fleniinu  and  Lloyd, 
whose  place  was  uii  the  Frank  ford 
Creek:  and  it  is  jxissihle  that  these  firms 
were  specially  renioniliered  because  of 
liberal  donations  Riven  at  the  building 
of  the  new  U.  P.  Church.  I  will  not 
pretend  to  enumerate  or  describe  the 
mills,  factories  and  other  manufacturing 
establishments,  whose  engines,  looms  and 
machinery  made  many  of  our  streets  vo- 
cal half  a  century  ago.  I  may  only  men- 
tion a  few  with  the  proprietors  of  which 
I   was  honored  with  an  acquaintance. 

In  metal  works  we  had  such  firms 
as  Brooks.  Rowlands.  Vankirk  and 
Evans;  in  dye  business,  Horrocks,  Green- 
wood and  Uault.  and  in  cotton  manufac- 
ture we  had  P.riggs,  Garseds.  Haird, 
Wiles,  McBride,  Forster,  Pollock,  ISmitli, 
Cleudenning  and  others.  Tlie  proprie- 
tors of  these  establishments  were  in  some 
cases  the  leading  nu-u  in  Frankford;  they 
Iked  in  elegant  ht)nies  and  their  fami- 
lies were  refined  and  educated.  To  manj* 
of  these  men,  who  are  no  longer  among 
us,  our  U.  P.  Church  was  deeply  indebt- 
ed during  the  erection  of  its  new  build- 
ing, at  Franklin  and  Orthodox  streets, 
some  having  given  donations  in  cash 
and  some  in  that  which  was  equal  to 
money.  Mr.  William  Baird,  besides  nu- 
merous other  favors,  furnished  the  church 
with  a  hall  for  worship  for  years  free  of 
charge. 

Mr.   .lohn  Clendenuing.   whose  dnmask 
factory  was  located  at  Unity  nml   Leiper 
2t) 


streets,  was  not  in  the  full  sense  a 
churchman,  although  educated  in  the 
Presbyterian  denomination,  but  he  oc- 
casionally attended  our  United  Presby- 
terian service  while  we  worshipped  on 
old  Baptist  hill.  On  a  Lord's  Day  morn- 
ing he  had  been  an  auditor  in  our  church, 
and  on  the  following  morning,  I,  as  pas- 
tor, received  a  note  from  him  accompa- 
nied with  a  check  for  $25.  This  oc- 
curred in  the  fall  of  1860,  when  through 
heroic  efforts,  of  Colonel  John  W.  For- 
ney, proprietor  and  editor  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Press,  the  street  cars  began  to 
run  on  Sunday.  The  excitement  was 
very  great,  and  ministers  felt  it  to  be 
their  duty  to  instruct  their  people  and  to 
take  a  stand  against  this  innovation,  and 
so  the  United  Presbyterian's  pastor  had 
been  preaching  in  defense  of  the  Sab- 
bath. 

On  other  occasions  Mr.  Clendenniug 
had  shown  us  favors,  sending  a  check  to 
the  amount  of  $50,  but  the  note  on  this 
occasion  was  peculiar  and  in  substance  as 
follows:  "Rev.  James  Price,  Dear  Sir: 
I  enclose  through  you  to  the  little  church 
on  the  hill  a  check  for  $25  to  help  to 
meet  expenses.  It  felt  very  cold  this 
morning;  you  may  want  some  coal.  The 
<hurch  is  indebted  to  you  for  this  con- 
tribution, for  I  think  that  if  you  had 
not  voted  against  the  cars  running  on  the 
Sabbath  I  would  not  have  given  it.  I  like 
to  see  them  run  on  Sunday  wheu  I  want 
to  go  to  the  city,  but  I  like  better  to  see 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel  act  up  to  what 
he  professes.  September  30,  18G0.  John 
Clendenning." 

Such  men  as  William  Baird,  William 
Smith  and  John  Clendenning  were  well 
trained  in  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterian 
principles;  they  were  intelligent,  large- 
heafrted    men,    but   among   jolly    compan- 

30 


imis  tliey  suuietiuios  allowed  the  love  of 
]ilt>nsiire  to  (lueiu-li  that  for  religious 
principle. 

In  the  year  ISHfi  one  of  the  IarK<'st 
UKUUifucturiiit;  estublishiiieiits  of  Frank- 
ford  became  a  [)ri'y  of  devouring  flames, 
and  in  that  year  also  the  churches  were 
■svonderfully  blessed  by  the  presence  of 
the  I  Inly  Spirit  causing  the  writer  to 
make  the  following  entry  in  his  diary: 
"Surely  this  was  an  eventful  year,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  Probst  murder, 
whose  trial  took  place  in  rhiladeli)hia, 
April  28th,  and  the  burning  of  Briggs' 
Frankford  Print  Works,  involving  a  loss 
of  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars,  but 
b»'cause  of  tiie  great  things  God  did  for 
our  congregation." 

I  now  beg  leave  to  call  attention  to 
the  churches  and  the  ministers  of  this 
place  in  my  time.  I  often  passed  by  and 
admired  for  its  antiquity  the  Friends' 
Meeting  House,  corner  of  Unity  and 
Wain  streets,  erected  in  1770,  and  I 
think  I  once  followed  to  its  burying- 
ground  the  remains  of  a  very  lovely 
woman,  Mrs.  William  Thorp.  The  other 
branch  of  the  Friends  had  their  place 
of  worship  on  Orthodox  street,  •where 
meeting  house  and  grounds,  shaded  by 
grand  old  trees,  seemed  to  sleep  in  quiet 
beauty. 

The  next  oldest  congregation  to  the 
Unity  street  one  was  the  Presbyterian. 
I  do  not  ilfem  it  to  be  my  province  to 
trace  the  history  of  this  or  any  other 
Frankford  chunh,  but  just  to  speak  of 
them  and  their  ministers  according  to 
my  impressions.  The  place  of  worship 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  when  I  came 
here  was  a  one-story  stone  building  erect- 
ed in  177(>,  plastered  outside  and  fin- 
ished in  a  yellow  color.  It  had  a  small 
vestibule,  high  back  pews  and  a  pulpit 
31 


according  to  the  times  reachiug  well  to- 
wards the  ceiling.  Often  during  those 
days  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  this  and 
the  new  building.  A  few  years  after 
my  coming  here  the  present  commodi- 
ous edifice  was  erected  and  entered  in 
the   year   1860. 

One  of  the  most  memorable  events  in 
the  religious  annals  of  Frankford  was 
the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  this  con- 
gregation, which  was  celebrated  May 
18.  1870.  Well  do  I  remember  that  won- 
derful day,  for  I  was  invited  to  a  seat 
on  the  platform  and  to  take  part  in  the 
exercises,  which  I  did  with  peculiar  pleas- 
ure. Dr.  Murphy,  the  pastor  of  the  con- 
gregation, succeeded  in  securing  for  the 
occasion  some  of  the  most  renowned  men 
of  the  countiT,  such  as  Dr.  Grier,  editor 
of  the  Philadelphia  Presbyterian;  Di-. 
Schenk,  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of 
Publication;  Dr.  Blackwood,  pastor  of 
the  Ninth  Presbyterian  Church,  Phila- 
delphia, a  well-known  rehgious  writer; 
Dr.  Musgrave,  the  Nestor  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church:  Dr.  Henry,  of  Prince- 
ton Church,  Philadelphia,  and  in  later 
times  Moderator  of  the  Assembly;  Rev. 
Albert  Barnes;  Dr.  Howard,  of  Pitts- 
burg, a  former  pastor  of  the  congrega- 
tion; the  great  Dr.  Charles  Hodge,  the 
Dean  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary; 
Dr.  McCosh,  president  of  Princeton  Col- 
lege and  a  famous  writer;  Dr.  Agnew,  a 
Philadelphia  pastor;  Hon.  Joseph  Alli- 
son, one  of  the  Judges  of  Philadelphia; 
Dr.  Beadle,  the  eloquent  pastor  of  the 
Second  Church,  Philadelphia;  Dr.  Hall, 
the  popular  pastor  of  Fifth  Avenue 
Church,  New  York,  with  Revs.  Beggs, 
Work  and  Warne. 

And  what  is  singularly  impressiA'e  to 
ns  is  that  of  all  that  illustrious  roll  who 
were   the   orators   of   that  day    there  re- 

32 


■  ■aiiis  l.iit  uijc  tu-diiy,  Dr.  Agiicw,  cor- 
n-sponding  secretary  o(  flie  rresltytfriaii 
liuunl  ui"  MiuiHteriuI  Relief.  Dr.  Tlio.s. 
Murphy  wa.s  piistor  of  the  I're.sbyteriuu 
(.  liiirch  of  this  phice  during  luy  whole 
resideucc  here;  my  interroiirse  with  hini 
niid  his  ciiltivuted  fuuiily  was  very  pleuH- 
ant,  and  ocoa.sioiinlly  I  have  enjoyed  the 
ho.xpiiality  of  llicir  parsonage. 

The  Baptist  Church  of  Franivford.  1 
presume,  ranl^s  next  in  aRO  with  the 
Presbyterian,  the  former  being  organ- 
ized May.  1S(I7,  and  ha.s  jiiat  recently 
celebrated  its  centennial  anniversary. 
Whfu  I  came  here,  in  1S."».'),  the  congre- 
t'iitiun  had  just  left  their  old  building,  cor- 
ner of  I'iue  and  Edward  streets,  and 
were  occupying  the  new  one,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Paul  and  Unity  streets.  The 
pastors  of  my  time  were  Revs.  White- 
head. Gray  and  Coulston,  all  excellent 
and    ffiitliful   men. 

Mr.  Whitehead  was  physically  a  small 
man,  with  a  smooth,  handsome  face, 
which  was  always  ready  to  burst  into 
a  smile.  He  was  a  fine  speaker  and  a 
most  earnest  and  faithful  worker.  Among 
the  first  times  I  saw  him  was  when  he 
was  attempting  unaided  to  raise  a  lad- 
der to  the  new  church  building,  the  lad- 
der being  about  six  times  ns  tall  as  him- 
self. 

Mr.  Gray,  I  think,  was  the  next  pas- 
tor; to  me  he  appeared  to  be  ji  modest, 
(|uiet  but  superior  man,  and  I  enjoyed 
his  companionship  very  much.  During 
my  time  here  Mr.  Coulsti>n  wa.s  longer 
a  Haptist  pastor  than  any  other.  I  knew 
tiini  very  well  and  admired  him  as  a 
scholarly,  earnest  and  faithful  minister. 
He  was  accustomed  to  dress  with  tin- 
common  neatness  and  taste.  I  remember 
one  day,  about  IStlt).  when  we  had  built 
our  new  church,  at  Orthodox  and  P'rank- 

33 


lin  streets,  he  came  up  to  the  grounds 
where  the  writer,  without  a  coat  and 
bare  arms,  had  his  hands  in  the  mud 
/naking  a  gutter  through  the  lawn,  and 
the  visitor  very  freely  expressed  his 
mind,  saying  that  was  not  the  work  of 
a  minister. 

The  Central  and  Frankford  Avenue 
Methodist  Churches  may  have  been  or- 
ganized before  I  left,  but  the  Paul  street 
congregation,  which  occupied  its  old  plain 
brick  building  was  the  principal  one,  and 
it  was  both  large  and  influential.  Some 
of  the  pastors  who  rise  up  in  my  mind 
are  Johns,  Atwood,  Hughes,  Turner  and 
Fernley. 

To  the  pretty  stone  building  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  I  have  already  re- 
ferred. This  congregation  did  an  ex- 
cellent work  among  the  poor  and  the 
non-church-going  people  of  the  place,  and 
fiat  principally  through  the  influence  of 
one  family,  that  of  William  Welsh,  Esq. 
This  church  suited  the  English  working 
people  of  Frankford,  and  they  were 
largely  brought  to  attend  its  services. 
Doctor  Miller  was  rector  of  this  con- 
gregation during,  I  think,  the  whole  of 
my  time.  He  was  a  scholarly  and  genial 
gentleman,  and  was  the  first  clergyman 
that  made  a  friendly  call  upon  me  after 
coming  to  the  town.  My  intercourse 
with  Mr.  Welsh  and  his  family  was  most 
delightful,  and  occasionally  I  was  invited 
there  for  tea  when  we  discussed  our 
experiences   in   Christian   work. 

I  think  there  were  two  Lutheran,  per- 
haps German-speaking,  congregations  at 
the  time  of  which  I  am  speaking,  one  on 
Orthodox  street,  east  of  Frankford  ave- 
nue, and  one  occupying  an  old  stone 
building  on  Church  near  Adams  street, 
since  turned  into  dwellings.  I  remember 
once    to   have    received    into    our    United 

34 


rri-sl.ytt'riiin  C'liunli  ii  iiioiiiIkt  from  tliut 
old  I.iitliciaii  Chiinli,  a  ilt-iir  old  Mrs. 
I.aiidis. 

Tlit«  Koiiiiin  ratlmlic  riiiinli  of  Fraiik- 
foiil  oc'LUpied  au  older  huildiiiu  than  ttu'ir 
present  one.  There  was.  I  think,  dnrinK 
my  tlmo  but  oin'  leading  priest,  and  that 
was  FathtT  MctJovern,  with  whom  I  was 
very  intimately  n<(|nainte(i.  He  soujtht 
t<»  lie  friendly  with  the  writer,  and,  (»f 
eonrse,  I  sought  to  return  the  frieiid- 
.ship.  He  accepted  an  invitation  to  visit 
my  library,  and  borrowed  a  copy  of  Sau- 
riii's  sermons,  and  I  accepted  an  invi- 
lali.in  to  dine  with  him.  To  .show  the 
kindness  of  this  priest  and  his  people  to 
my.self  and  congregation  I  have  a  copy 
of  a  note  accompanying  a  handsonu> 
wrapper  presented  to  me  at  the  cIo.se  of 
a  Catholic  Church  Fair,  as  follows: 
"Fraukford,  January  7,  18G.').  To  Uev. 
.Tames  Price,  with  the  compliments  of 
Itev.  John  McGovern  and  the  ladies  of 
the  Fair  as  a  token  of  our  esteem."  (Jnr 
intercourse  with  our  Catholic  friends  was 
very  cordial;  they  helped  ns  at  our  fairs 
anfl  likely  our  people  favored  tliem. 

I  think  in  my  time  the  New  Jerusalem 
Church  had  two  congregations,  the  old 
one  having  a  building  on  Hedge  street, 
above  (Orthodox,  where  Mr.  Seddons  was 
pastor;  the  other  having  a  stone  build- 
ing on  Frankford  avenue,  below  Harri- 
son, and  also  the  present  editice,  at  I'aul 
jind  T'nity  streets,  where  Dr.  >[cl'her- 
son  was  pastor.  .V  nuniber  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Frankford  were  vegetarians  and 
worshipped  in  a  church  in  Kensington, 
a  .Mr.  Mctcalf  being  the  minister.  A.** 
far  as  1  remember  there  was  only  one 
colored  church  in  Frankford.  It  be- 
longed to  the  Methotlist  denomination, 
and  had  its  buihiing,  as  now,  on  Oxfoni 
near  I'aul  street.     I   remember  preaching 

35 


in  this  church  at  least  once,  and  my  wife 
and  I  could  testify  that  the  people  were 
quiet  and  gave  good  attention.  I  wish 
here  to  relate  an  incident  which  I  think 
both  interesting  and  painful,  touching  one 
of  the  ministers  of  this  congregation.  The 
facts  are  contained  in  a  public  address, 
which  I  delivered  at  an  annual  Thanks- 
giving service  in  Dr.  Sterrit's  church  in 
1863.  At  that  time  there  was  a  strong 
prejudice  against  colored  people  riding 
in  the  street  cars.  The  platform  only 
by  rule  being  allowed  to  men  or  women 
of  color.  The  following  is  the  extract 
from   the  address: 

"During  one  of  the  stormy,  unpleas- 
ant nights  of  last  week,  as  I  have  been 
informed,  an  old  colored  minister  was  re- 
turning from  the  city  to  his  home  in 
Frankford.  Having  taken  passage  in 
one  of  the  street  cars,  although  charged 
the  usual  fare,  although  the  profane  and 
intoxicated  might  sit  or  stretch  them- 
selves at  their  ease  inside,  although  the 
storm  might  rage  and  the  minister  be 
old  and  infirm,  the  rule  which  measures 
a  man's  worth  not  by  character  but  by 
his  color  must  be  enforced,  and  he  must 
stand  outside  on  the  platform.  Owing 
to  the  darkness  of  the  night,  or  perhaps 
the  carelessness  of  some  sleepy  teamster, 
a  wagon  came  in  contact  with  the  car, 
striking  the  aged  minister  and  injuring 
him  so  that  he  has  to  be  conveyed  to 
the  hospital,  where  it  is  found  he  can- 
not live,  and  according  to  his  own  wish 
he  is  taken  home  to  die,  where  he  lin- 
gers only  a  few  days.  When  I  heard 
these  facts  I  said  to  myself,  can  that 
man's  death  be  attributed  to  accident? 
A  mourning  Frankford  church  and  may- 
be an  afflicted  family  lament  the  loss 
of  their  head.  He  fell,  not  for  the  vio- 
lation   of    any    law.      He    was    stricken 

36 


w/»/*5r&;^^^^^'^^^^'-^''i=Sr~-5- 


First  Church  Edifice  of  the  Seventh  United 
Presbyterian  Congregation. 

S.  W.  Corner  Church  and  Penn  Streets.     Purchased  from  the 
Frankford  Baptist  Congregation,  I806. 


(liiwii,  nt)t  l>y  .sitkiiess.  He  jit'ltled  not 
to  iiKe  (altliuiiKli  lie  wus  the  oUh-Mt  (lUtl 
luost  re.specteil  iiiiniNter  of  liia  denuniinu- 
tioii),  but  lu>  was  ofTni-d  up  a  vicliin 
nt  tlie  altar  of  a  depraved  pidilio  BCDli- 
lueiit." 

On  tlie  last  Sabbath  afteriiouii,  as  the 
s\in  was  scttiiiu  in  ^old  and  blix'  iu  tin- 
west,  a  large  coMcoiirst'  of  ininisti-rs  and 
other  friends  bore  liiin  to  the  tomb — that 
ini;,'hty  republic  where  the  tyrant  and 
the  slave  sleep  side  by  side.  I  fancy  the 
grass  shnU  wave  as  green  and  the  flow- 
ers shall  bloom  as  brightly  over  his  grave 
as  fhongh  his  skin  had  been  white.  I'.nt 
a  brighter  day  dawns.  That  sentiment  is 
beginning  to  be  better  understood  and 
more  appreciated  which  Paul  thundertHl 
forth  from  Mars  Hill— the  sentiment  of 
the  universal  brotherhood  of  mankind. 
"God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  the  na- 
tions of  Men."  Thank  God  for  the 
President's  Proclamation  of  Emancipa- 
tion." 


Seventh  United  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Frankford. 

The  story  of  this  congregation  ought 
ti)  be  interesting  to  any  loTer  of  Chris- 
tianity and  huuuui  progress,  and  as 
might  be  expected  it  is  doubly  interest- 
ing to  the  writer,  because  through  him 
it  was  orgatiized,  through  his  exertions 
principally  it  was  furnished  with  a 
church  property.  He  was  for  upwards 
of  twenty  years  its  first  pastttr,  and  by 
invitation  of  its  session  he  wrote  and 
pulilished  the  first  half  century  of  its  his- 
tory. 

It  began  as  a  mission  in  18r>4.  when 
its  little  baml  of  people  met  for  worsliip 
iu    the    Washington    Kiigiue    House,    and 

37 


in  the  Lyceum,  on  Frankford  avem;e,  and 
when  the  writer  came  to  them  in  the 
spring  of  1855  they  were  holding  ser- 
vices in  the  old  Baptist  Meeting  House, 
on  what  was  known  as  Baptist  Hill. 
This  old  Baptist  building  and  grounds 
was  afterwards  purchased  for  $1600, 
and  nearly  as  much  more  was  spent  in 
improving  the  grounds.  The  location  and 
building  proving  unsuitable,  it  was  in 
1SG3  sold  to  the  Roman  Catholic  con- 
gregation of  Frankford,  and  ground  for 
a  new  church  building  was  purchased 
from  two  colored  women,  Mary  Martin 
and  Anna  Smith,  on  Paul  near  Orthodox 
street,  on  which  is  now  the  beautiful 
mansion  of  Frank  Rowland,  Esq.,  and 
adjoining  lots  were  also  secured  on  Or- 
thodox street.  Preferring  ground  at  Or- 
thodox and  Franklin  streets,  which  was 
purchased  at  a  cost  of  $3800,  we  erected 
on  this  a  stone  church,  the  lecture  room 
of  which  was  opened  in  18G9. 

Breaking  away  from  the  old  barn  style 
pf  churches,  we  erected  an  edifice  after 
the  early  English  style  of  architecture, 
which  was  universally  admired.  The 
c-ost  of  this  building  and  grounds  was 
some  $23,000,  but  by  buying  our  own 
material  and  hiring  workmen  we  believ- 
ed that  we  saved  at  least  $3000,  so  that 
we  had  a  property  worth  $26,000. 

But  although  we  erected  a  very  splen- 
did and  imposing  building,  we  were  in 
those  times  few  in  numbers,  and  weak  in 
financial  resources,  and  from  18G3  to 
1873  it  was  wnth  us  a  sort  of  ten  years' 
conflict,  and  it  required  some  heroic  work 
on  the  part  of  the  pastor  to  raise  up- 
wards of  twenty  thousand  dollars  large- 
ly outside  of  his  own  congregation.  He 
traveled  to  different  points  of  the  com- 
pass—from New  York  to  Cincinnati  and 
from  Lake  George  to  Baltimore,  soliciting 

38 


Seventli  United  Presbvterlan  Cliurcii 

1869.' 

N.  W.  C.ir.  Kranklin  and  Orthodox  Streets,  Kraiikff>rd. 


lirl|»  fruiu  (liior  to  door.  Souielimea  wIh-ii 
iiolifititiK  jouriM'y"  '«>'  i"  country  congro- 
),';itiuiis,  kiiul  furiuers  not  only  furuiMbi-tl 
«  Imrs*',  liiit  lui'oniimnied  the  cDlIcrtor  as 
a  cliaptToiio;  and  once  be  was  furuislicd 
with  a  gray  mildier's  overcoat,  which 
kept  tlie  wannlh  in  and  the  rain  mit. 
It  is  remembered  that  one  of  the  liorses 
he  rode  in  (Jnernsey  Cnnnly,  Ohio,  when 
truvelinjr  on  the  <>\,l  n.'itioiuil  road,  would 
invariably  stop  at  every  taveni  to  which 
he  came,  thus  ihrealeuinjj  to  damage  the 
temperance  principh's  of  bis  collecting 
ritler. 

Tlien  our  people  were  working  h.inl 
at  liome,  and  everything  iti  the  sluipe  of 
fairs,  suppers,  lectures  and  concerts  were 
tried  again  and  again,  and  generally  with 
success,  because  we  had  with  us  the  heart 
of  the  people  of  Frankford.  There  was 
shown  at  some  of  our  fairs  a  spirit  as 
wonderful  as  it  was  delightful— ladies 
from  different  denominations  meeting 
weekly  to  sew  for  and  then  having  tables 
at  our  fairs  managed  by  Uiem  as  their 
church  tables  for  our  benefit— a  beau- 
tiful exhibition  of  Christian  unity.  All 
the  churches  and  religious  people  of 
Krankford  lent  :i  helping  hand  to  the 
I'lriled  Presbyterian  congre;;ation,  as 
also  to  its  |)astor,  and  their  kindness  can 
never  perish  from  our  memories.  At 
the  opening  of  our  new  lecture  room,  in 
IHOD,  the  collection  was  .'f'J.'><X>,  and  when 
the  pastor  resigned,  in  ISTn,  the  congre- 
gation was  not  only  without  debt,  but 
Ihcre  was  in  the  treasurj-  of  the  Ruilding 
Fund  if.'?<M)  in  cash.  Some  time  after 
the  writer  left  Frankford  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  sold  their  splendid 
property  to  the  Central  Metho«list  Kpis- 
coi)al  Church  for  .some  $18,(XH>,  including 
n  mortgage  of  S'J(XH>  placed  on  the  pro|>- 
orty  after  I  had  left,  giving  their   Meth- 

39 


odist  brethren  a  bargain  of,  say,  ?;S00O. 
The  Seventh  Congregation  then  pur- 
chased a  small  lot  at  Orthodox  and  Leip- 
er  streets,  on  which  they  erected  a  neat 
stone  church  opened  for  -worship  in  1877, 
and  which  they  have  just  recently  en- 
larged and  beautified. 

I  think  there  must  have  been  a  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  in  Frank- 
ford  in  those  days  composed  of  persona 
from  the  various  denominations,  for  while 
I  write  I  have  before  mc  a  note  from 
Mr.  Cherrie  Borie,  an  otHcer,  asking  me 
to  take  the  place  of  Dr.  Miller  and  to 
preach  to  the  Association,  the  customary 
annual  sermon,  with  which  request  I 
think  I  complied.  Such  is  the  story  of 
the  churches  of  my  time. 

I  may  not  be  permitted  to  refer  to 
war  times  as  they  affected  us  in  Frank- 
ford.  Among  my  first  recollections  as  to 
the  effect  of  the  Rebellion  on  religion  was 
in  my  attending  the  hitherto  undivided 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  where  now  stands  the  Betz 
Building.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bachus,  a  pas- 
tor from  Baltimore,  was  the  Moderator, 
and  it  required  all  his  ingenuity  as  a 
parliamentarian  and  his  suavity  as  a 
Christian  gentleman  to  preserve  order, 
the  speeches  being  very  fiery  on  both 
sides.  It  was  there  that  the  hitherto 
united  Presbyterian  Church,  like  other 
denominations,  was  rent,  producing  a 
breach  which  after  nearly  half  a  cen- 
tury has  not  yet  beon  healed.  Among 
my  first  recollections  also  of  the  war 
spirit  as  it  reached  Frankford  in  con- 
nection with  the  recruiting  of  men  to 
go  forth  in  defense  of  the  country  was 
in  my  being  called,  with  other  minister's, 
to  make  a  speech  urging  men  to  join 
the  army,  the  meeting  for  which  pur- 
pose was  held  in  an  open  lot  on   Frank- 

40 


■■     ■  ■    »■ 


7tli  United   Presbyterian  Church,  S.  E.  Cor.  Orthodox 
and  Leiper  Streets,   1877. 


ford  avenue  below  Sellers  street,  udjoin- 
iiiK  the  place  of  Josopli  Rnll,  F'sq.  The 
Rev.  ^fr.  Coiilston,  pji.stor  of  the  Hap- 
tist  Cluirih.  who  had  just  rei-ently  couie 
t()  Fraiikford,  waH  prt'sent  and  made 
an  addreae.  The  pastor  of  the  Paul 
Street  Metliodist  Cliiirch,  was  tliere  and 
took  part.  I  remember  of  him  relatiD){ 
an  anc'dote  of.  I  think,  a  local  Metho- 
dist lady  of  Frankford.  There  being 
some  copper-heads  here  at  that  time, 
this  lady  is  described  us  being  btisy  at 
her  wash-tub  and  hearing  the  disloyal 
remarks  of  a  Southern  sympathizer,  she 
either  did  or  threatened  to  hit  him  in  the 
face  with  the  piece  of  soap  in  her  hand. 

The  thanks  of  this  Historical  Society 
are  duo  to  1  »r.  AIIi'm  fur  giving  us  valu- 
able information  touching  Colonel  Ash- 
worth  and  Major  Kitman.  and  1  wish  to 
relate  something  as  to  the  latter  and  his 
company.  Whether  any  members  of  Ma- 
jor Hitman's  conii):uiy  were  members  of 
my  congregation  I  cannot  remember,  but 
from  what  I  am  about  to  relate  I  think 
there  must  have  been.  Just  before  this 
company  started  for  the  seat  of  war.  we 
of  the  I'nited  Presbyterian  congregation, 
then  worshipping  in  the  old  Baptist  Meet- 
ing House,  corner  of  Penn  and  Church 
streets,  invited  Captain  Hitman  and  his 
company  to  worship  with  us.  Tlie  invi- 
tation being  accepted,  on  a  Sabbath  even- 
ing your  himible  servant,  the  pastor  of 
the    congregation,    preached    the    sermon. 

I  would  be  glad  to  give  the  exact  date 
and  the  text  of  Scripture  used  could  I 
lay  my  hands  on  my  sermon  record.  As 
already  intiraat'-d,  I  had  preached  to  a 
regiment  of  soldiers  on  the  lots  below 
Harrison  street,  and  was  often  called 
upon  on  Decoration  Days  in  Cedar  Hill 
Cemetery    to    address    the    crowds    or    to 

41 


lead  in  devotional  exercises,  but  this  Bap- 
tist Hill  service  was  to  me  altogether 
unique.  Captain  Ritman  sat  at  the  head 
of  his  company,  in  the  front  pew  and 
to  the  right  of  the  minister;  Mr,  Joshua 
Garsed,  who  may  have  been  a  company 
ofBcer,  was  present,  and  spoke  to  me  of 
his  going  forth  in  defense  of  country, 
friends  and  property.  The  men,  with 
their  friends,  filled  the  small  audience 
room  to  overflowing,  as  also  the  gallery 
on  three  sides,  and  the  service  was  very 
solemn.  Captain  Ritman  was  a  quiet, 
undemonstrative  man,  but  proved  him- 
self a  valiant  soldier. 

I  have  a  very  distinct  and  pleasing  rec- 
ollection of  Colonel  Ashworth.  I  knew 
him  well,  and  regarded  him  as  one  of 
the  model  Christian  young  men  of 
Frankford.  I  could  almost  to-day  go 
to  the  place  where  his  home  stood  on 
Sellers  street  near  Unity,  and  I  never 
pass  his  memorial  stone  in  West 
Cedar  Hill  Cemetery,  but  my  heart  is 
impressed  when  I  think  of  that  young 
English  American  patriot. 
,  While  our  American  Rebellion  brought 
blessings  at  its  close  in  a  reunited  coun- 
try, while  the  description  of  Schiller  when 
he  portrays  the  soldier's  return  to  his 
home  after  the  war  was  realized  by 
us,  in  the  coming  back  of  our  depleted 
regiments,  yet  I  feel  that  the  whole 
country  was  injured  from  war's  disas- 
ters, and  from  which  I  imagine  it  has 
never  entirely  recovered.  The  Christian 
Sabbath,  human  refinement  and  religion 
herself  received  wounds  which  it  would 
requii'e  a  century  to  heal;  and  Frank- 
ford,  I  think,  suffered  in  all  these  ways. 
How  often  the  quietness  of  our  Sabbaths 
in  war  times  was  rudely  disturbed  by  the 
shrill  sound  of  fife  or  base  roll  of  drum, 
by  the  tramp  of  regiments  departing  for 

42 


Seventh  United  Presbyterian  Cliurcli,  1908. 

S.  E.  cor.  Orthodox  ami  Leiper  Streets,  Friuikford. 


tlif  lii'lil,  or  liy  till-  .Slid  return  of  wound- 
ed or  dead  soldiers.  One  of  the  tlrHt 
youii),'  nieu  of  Frnnkford  that  fell  in 
battle  was  a  Mr.  Wiiliam.s,  whose  body 
was  to  be  brougiit  home  on  a  certain 
Sabbath  day,  on  whirh  the  whole  town 
seemed  to  have  turned  out  to  meet  it  and 
to  express  sympathy  with  his  attractive 
youuK   widow. 

A  number  of  tlie  members  of  nur 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Frnnk- 
ford went  to  the  war,  nmnnjc  whom  I 
remombor  William  Taylor.  M.  I).,  Jas. 
M.  Latimer,  Alexander  Galbreath,  one 
of  the  Outon  boys  and  Haddock  Mc- 
Bridc.  Mr.  McRride  was  a  bright  yonnjc 
man  of  our  Frankford  U.  P.  Sabbath 
School,  and  enlisted  at  Philadelphia,  Au- 
gust, 18G1.  He  belonged  to  the  100th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  better  known  as 
the  Koundh^ad  Keginicnt,  Colont'l  Daniel 
Leisure  comamudiug,  and  of  which  Uev. 
Dr.  Audley  Brown,  a  noted  United 
Presbyterian  pastor,  of  Newcastle,  Pa., 
was  chaplain. 

I  have  in  my  possession  a  letter  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  McBride  from  Beaufort,  S. 
C,  February,  IStJ^.  in  which  he  says 
the  name  of  Roundhead  was  given  to 
the  regiment  by  Simon  Cameron,  Lite 
Secretary  of  War,  principally  on  account 
of  the  descent  of  many  of  its  members 
and  in  commemoration  of  Oliver  Crom- 
well. He  also  states  that  since  his  regi- 
ment has  been  in  .service  the  men  have 
gained  an  enviable  reputation  for  mor- 
ality. He  had  very  seldom  heard  a  pro- 
fane word  in  the  lines  of  the  camp.  He 
also  gives  a  very  vivid  description  of 
the  battle  of  Port  Royal  Ferry  on  the 
Coosaw  River,  in  which  his  regiment  took 
part.  This  letter  is  written  in  a  clear, 
masterly  hand,  and  accompanying  it  is 
a  little  printed  regimental  journal,  styled 
4:? 


"The  Camp  Kettle,"  dated  Hilton  Head, 
November  21,  18G1.  Both  letter  and 
journal  are,  I  think,  interesting  and  val- 
uable as  a  memorial  of  the  early  days  of 
our  Rebellion,  and  if  your  Society's  Com- 
mittee on  Museum  and  Curios  would 
accept  I  would  donate  them,  although  the 
Frankford  U.  P.  Church  might  view 
them  with  a  covetous  eye. 


44 


Minutes  of  Meeting,  Meltl 
March  17th,  1908. 


The  stated  meeting  of  the  Historical 
Society  of  Frank funl  was  held  Tuesday 
eveniiifj,  March  17,  in  the  lecture  room  of 
the  Free  Lilntiry. 

The  president,  Mr.  rrankUn  Siuediey, 
called  the  meeting  to  order. 

The  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting 
were  rend  and  accepteil. 

The  secretarj-  presented  the  names  of 
three  persons  who  had  made  application 
for  membership  in  the  society,  Mrs.  Adum 
J.  Stan^er,  Miss  Emma  R.  Sidebotham 
and  Mr.  Richard  A.  Martin,  of  Asbury 
Park,  N.  J.  On  motion  they  were  de- 
clared elected.  The  president  announced 
the  appointment  of  Committees  on  His- 
tory, Biography,  Genealogy,  Curios  and 
Photojjraphs  and  I'iitnres  to  serve  tor  the 
following  year. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  co-oper> 
ate  with  the  Rusiness  Men's  Associatiou 
in  the  celebration  commemorating  th« 
foundation  of  the  city  in  October  next. 

The  papers  prepared  for  the  evening 
were  presented  in    the  following  onler: 

A  paper  prepared  by  Guernsey  A.  Hul- 
lowell,  Esii.,  on  Port  Royal  and  the  Stile« 
family. 

Port  Royal,  the  old  mansion  on  Tacony 
road,  was  built  by  Edward  Stiles,  a  ship- 
ping merchant  of  Philadelphia,  and 
named  by  him  Port  Royal  in  honor  of  his 
birthplace  in  Bermuda. 
46 


The  finding  of  the  earthen  pot  of  money 
by  Mr.  Charles  Lukens  was  described  by 
Miss  Eliza  Clover.  The  pot  contained 
foreign  coins  of  gold  and  silver,  and  it  is 
supposed  was  concealed  by  servants  of  the 
Stiles  family  in  the  wall  of  the  cellar. 

A  paper  written  by  Miss  Mary  P.  Allen 
describing  an  old-fashioned  garden  which 
formerly  grew  on  the  ground  occupied  by 
the  i^ree  Library  building;  also  a  sketch 
of  the  old  Washington  engine  bell.  These 
papers  were  read  by  the  secretary. 

Robert  T.  Corson,  Esq.,  presented  a 
sketch  of  the  old  Fraukford  Academy. 
Through  this  paper  we  learned  that  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania held  its  sessions  during  the  preva- 
lence of  the  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia 
in  1799  in  the  old  Academy  building.  It 
was  shown  that  many  other  items  of  in- 
terest connected  with  the  history  of 
Frankford  took  place  in  the  Academy, 
which  for  years  served  as  the  Town  Hall, 
the  jail,  a  school,  a  tire  engine  house  and 
on  Sundays  as  a  place  of  worship. 

Charles  H.  Duffield  presented  the  so- 
ciety a  history  of  the  old  Swedes'  Mill, 
together  with  the  brief  of  title  of  the  mill 
and  the  land  belonging  to  it,  from  the 
date  of  its  purchase  from  the  Swedes  by 
William  Penn,  in  1G80,  to  its  sale  to  Al- 
bert Rowland  in  1852.  The  mill  and  its 
water  rights  belonged  to  the  DufHelds 
from  1799  until  1852.  A  portion  of  the 
land  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Duffleld 
family.  Mr.  Duffield  also  described  the 
old  main  channel  of  the  Frankford  Creek, 
which  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  for- 
merly occupied  the  ground  known  in  later 
years  as  Buckius'  Meadow,  then  making 
a  curve  passed  north  under  the  single 
arch  bridge,  south  of  the  fine  arch  bridge, 

Mr.  Duffleld's  valuable  manuscript  was 
ordered  to  be  printed. 

46 


>fr.  .Ic.s.pli  U.  KtMiwiirtliy  proHontcd 
tlu'  sMcifiy  Willi  liliirik  rlircks  <»f  tlie  uU\ 
1'iiitfd  Stiiti'M  Itaiik  and  of  tli<>  8<-liiiylkill 
Bank,  of  I'liiluilclphia.  The  rlieckH  wore 
llie  i>ro[>t«rt.v  nf  Mr.  Ivenworthy'M  futlior, 
.loliii  KiMi worthy,  for  iiiniiy  years  a  piil>- 
li('-spirit*Hl  i.'iti/.*>M  of  IMiiladclphia.  lie 
carried  uii  the  Ixisiiiens  of  paiiitink'  and 
was  employed  hy  Stephen  (Jirard.  He 
painted  the  Slate  Ilonse  on  the  oornsioti 
of  Lafayette's  visit  in  1S24,  and  received 
^2'2~i  from  tlie  <ity  in  payment  for  the 
work,  lie  was  a  memher  of  the  Frank- 
lin Institnte,  and  took  part  in  the  jthihm- 
thropic  work  of  Phihidelphia.  He  was 
secretary  of  the  Society  for  the  Establish- 
ment of  Charity  Schools  for  the  Edncu- 
tion  of  Poor  Children,  and  Mr.  Joseph  11. 
Kenworthy  has  in  his  possession  the  min- 
ute hooks  of  that  society,  in  his  father's 
writing.  lie  was  also  a  leading  member 
of  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 

Mr.  Kllwood  Edwards  presented  four 
copies  of  Harper's  Weekly,  printed  dur- 
5ng  the  civil  war. 

Mr.  Joseph  R.  Kenworthy  placed  on 
exhibition  the  old  fire  horn  of  the  Excel- 
sior Hose  Company,  of  Frankford,  and  a 
pitcher,  made  to  commemorate  the  death 
of  George  Washington,  ITJtJ),  formerly 
owned  by  Robert  Morris.  On  one  side 
the  death  of  Washington  is  portrayed, 
nnd  on  the  other  side  the  ship  is  shown 
which  was  to  carry  his  immortal  s[)irit 
across  the  unknown  sea  to  the  land  of 
eternal   life   beyond. 

Major  William  Snddards  Robinson  ex- 
hibited the  hat  worn  by  his  grandfather, 
CJeneral  Robinson,  of  General  Washing- 
ton's staff,  at  the  Battle  of  Brnndywine, 
and  the  pistol  carried  by  him  during  the 
winter  at  Valley  Forge. 

The  secretary  announced  that  she  had 
received   from   the   Historical    Society   of 

47 


Kansas,  in  exchange  for  our  pamphlets, 
three  bound  volumes  and  thi-ee  pamphlets, 
published  by  the  Kansas  Society,  and 
from  Mr.  Kichard  A.  Martin,  of  Asbury 
Park,  the  History  of  Erie  County,  New 
York,  and  a  volume  of  verses  written  by 
Mary  Castor  Ball,  of  Holmesburg,  and 
Wissinoming. 

There  being  no  other  business  the  meet- 
ing adjourned. 

ELEANOR  E.  WRIGHT,  Secretary. 


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REPRINTHD    I- ROM 
THE    FR.ANKFORD   (;AZETTE" 
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